Justice Sec Remulla warns foreigners of strict laws after POGO raid

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla warned foreigners in the Philippines on Sunday to comply with local laws or face severe legal consequences following a raid on an illegal POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.

During the raid by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and other law enforcement bodies, authorities discovered evidence of torture and kidnapping involving 158 Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian nationals from Lucky South 99 Outsourcing, which reportedly engaged in prostitution, human trafficking, scams, and unlawful activities.

Remulla tasked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to file charges if warranted and deport those proven to have violated immigration laws, emphasizing that foreigners must adhere strictly to local laws.

PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio reported finding three rooms with significant blood spatter, indicating potential crime scenes, while also rescuing four victims from the compound.

With 402 POGOs having their licenses canceled but around 100 still operational, PAOCC emphasized the urgent need to address these illegal activities as serious criminal issues.