The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed charges against 16 foreign nationals following a raid in Cebu.
The Central Visayas office of the NBI charged the individuals with qualified human trafficking after raiding a suspected Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City.
The raid, conducted on August 31st, resulted in the rescue of over 100 foreign workers who were reportedly lured to the Philippines under false pretenses and forced to work in online scam operations.
The individuals facing human trafficking charges are Zhao Shao Qi (aka Lao Fan), Zhao Long (aka Xiao Long), Yang Teng Da, Ke Rong Mou (aka Jordan), Ji Hui (aka Xiao Xi), Hu Yonghong, Dai Chun Lin, Zhong Donglin (aka Edison), Lona Halim (aka Grace), Joni (aka Gio), San Thwe Thwe, Luo Peng (aka Alang), Ma Yi, Shen Wen Xia (aka Xi Xi), Zhuang Jian Guo (aka Wang Fang), and Wen Qi Zhen.
In addition, Zandrew Magdaluyo Cantarona, a Filipino, has been charged as an accessory after being found with passports belonging to 51 Indonesians employed at the POGO hub.
NBI-7 Director Renan Oliva also noted that a hotel employee, suspected of attempting to remove a box containing PHP8 million ($142K) linked to the illegal operations, is under investigation and may face charges.
The charges were officially filed after an inquest held on Tuesday.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has also named five Filipino witnesses who are set to testify against the accused. These individuals, previously employed at another POGO hub in Pampanga, claim that the accused and their Filipino associates were involved in a similar illegal operation that was shut down in June 2024.
The raid followed a tip-off from the Indonesian embassy, which alerted authorities to three Indonesian nationals who had escaped from the Tourist Garden Hotel, where they had been unlawfully detained.
During the operation, authorities rescued 93 Chinese, 69 Indonesians, six Burmese, and one Malaysian, all of whom had been coerced into participating in online scams.
Following the raid, the Bureau of Immigration filed charges against the rescued workers for lacking proper documentation and working without valid visas. On September 4th, 2024, authorities transported all rescued individuals from Lapu-Lapu City to Manila on a C-130 military aircraft. The PAOCC is currently housing them in Pasay City while preparing for their deportation.
Meanwhile, the 16 accused individuals remain in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings. The NBI-7 is continuing its investigation and may file additional charges, including money laundering, against the suspects.
Investigators are also seeking a search warrant to examine electronic devices seized during the raid, which may provide further evidence of criminal activities and help identify more victims.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan ordered the immediate closure of the Tourist Garden Hotel on September 2nd, stating that the city was unaware of the illegal POGO activities occurring within the premises.
