PNP raids illegal POGO, rescues 18 Chinese nationals

Police authorities conducted a raid on an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility in Zambales, rescuing 18 Chinese nationals and arresting two suspects.

The operation took place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday in Subic Bay Freeport Zone under a search warrant issued by the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 97 after two weeks of surveillance based on information from informants.

Two suspects with aliases 'Bao Go' and 'A Hai' were arrested for alleged human trafficking, while police seized computers, phones, documents, and other items during the raid.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo told Rappler that the 18 rescued Chinese will be turned over to the Bureau of Immigration on Monday, September 9, while the two suspects remain under CIDG custody.

The raided POGO was not named in the search warrant and was described as much smaller compared to other establishments previously raided by authorities. The source told Rappler that the POGO was allegedly unregistered and operating illegally inside a house.

Various gaming equipment were also seized from the POGO, including 18 desktop computers, laptops, SIM cards, as well as financial and travel documents.

Police continue to gather information to locate other illegal POGOs but admit difficulty with these operations forming into smaller groups to evade law enforcement, emphasizing the need for community vigilance.