3 Chinese nationals arrested, 23 Filipinos rescued in Calamba raid

On Friday, authorities in Calamba, Laguna arrested three Chinese nationals identified as Weng, Lou, and Yuan, and rescued 23 Filipino employees during a raid at Beauty Technologies Corp., suspected of being a telecommunications contractor involved in immigration violations.

The operation was conducted by the Bureau of Immigration, PNP-CIDG Regional Office 4-A, Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime, PAOCC, and Calamba City police after months of surveillance.

PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz stated that the arrested individuals lacked valid visas and work permits, emphasizing ongoing investigations into whether the company had any links to previous POGO operations.

CIDG Director PMaj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed that Lou was specifically operating a suspected POGO hub, and all three arrested Chinese nationals will face charges for violating immigration laws as they worked without appropriate visas and lacked necessary business or barangay permits.

Upon verification at BPLO, Calamba City, Laguna, Beauty Technologies Corp. was found to have no legal papers to operate in the city.

Authorities plan to apply for a new warrant to recover and conduct forensic examinations on computers seized from the office to determine the actual operations being carried out by the arrested individuals.