PAOCC: POGOs hide foreign fugitives, arrest 403 nationals in raids

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) revealed that banned offshore gaming hubs were harboring foreign fugitives.

Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz stated that these Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are being used as hideaways for wanted individuals, particularly Chinese nationals involved in illegal gambling and fraud.

During a raid at the One Wheels condominium building in Pasay City, authorities arrested 403 foreign nationals, including 13 fugitives with outstanding cases.

PAOCC found that POGOs were serving as hideouts for wanted persons across multiple raids, indicating a pattern of criminal activity within these facilities.

Cruz clarified that while many of the arrested individuals are Chinese nationals, there are also fugitives from other countries hiding in POGO hubs.

The Philippine government's crackdown on POGOs follows President Marcos' ban announced during his State of the Nation Address last year and the subsequent closure order by December 31.