NBI raids hotel in Lapu-Lapu, rescues 162 foreigners from POGO site

On Saturday, August 31, 2024, agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Central Visayas raided a hotel in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City suspected to be a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) hub.

Director Rennan Augusto Oliva confirmed that the raid was based on reports validating the hotel's use as a POGO site and resulted in the rescue of 162 foreigners from eight different nationalities, including Chinese, Indonesian, Taiwanese, Burmese, and Malaysian nationals.

Representatives from several government agencies, including the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Bureau of Immigration, participated in the operation following an inter-agency directive to ban POGOs after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a directive.

Police Regional Office-7 Director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin has instructed all chiefs of police in Cebu province to strengthen their watch against possible POGOs in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has not yet commented on the raid while awaiting a complete report from authorities, and the PAOCC confirmed that the operation was initiated at the request of the Indonesian Embassy.