The Supreme Court of the Philippines recently ordered the transfer of cases related to the alleged human trafficking activities within Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) hubs from local courts to those in Metro Manila.
The move comes amid rising pressure on authorities to dismantle illegal POGO operations and their associated criminal activities.
Responding to a request from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Supreme Court relocated the trafficking cases involving individuals linked to POGOs to courts in Metro Manila, particularly the National Capital Judicial Region. This decision was made to ensure the safety of witnesses and the efficient handling of cases that have national implications.
The DOJ had requested the transfer, citing security concerns, especially after several suspects connected to these POGO hubs were discovered in various provinces, with substantial illegal activities such as human trafficking, fraud, and money laundering alleged against them.
The Supreme Court’s action reflects the government’s determination to crack down on illegal POGO-related operations, many of which have raised alarms over the involvement of foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens, in various forms of organized crime.
These developments come as the Bureau of Immigration intensifies its efforts to arrest foreign nationals involved in illegal POGO activities, resulting in the detention of several individuals, including Chinese and Taiwanese nationals, who have been linked to scam hubs posing as legitimate offshore gaming firms.
Parallel to the legal efforts, there have been discussions in the Philippine Senate about securing the cooperation of key figures who might possess critical information on the identities of the major players behind illegal POGO activities. Among those at the center of this discussion is Alice Guo, a Chinese national believed to hold significant information about the “big boss” behind illegal POGO operations in the Philippines.
Senator JV Ejercito, during a recent Senate hearing, suggested the possibility of offering Guo an executive session to encourage her to divulge details regarding the masterminds of illegal POGO activities. An executive session would allow her to testify in a closed-door setting, ensuring confidentiality and potentially providing her with protection against any reprisals from those she might implicate.
Ejercito emphasized the need to identify the key figures or “big fish” who orchestrate these operations.
“If we can extract information from her about the big boss behind these illegal operations, it would significantly help our efforts to dismantle this network.”
Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito
He also noted that cracking down on POGO hubs is part of the broader effort to curb criminal activities tied to illegal gambling, human trafficking, and other organized crime.
The DOJ’s intensified campaign against illegal POGO activities has led to the filing of multiple charges, particularly those related to human trafficking and illegal employment. These cases primarily target the workers and middle-level operatives within POGO hubs, including both foreign nationals and Filipinos who allegedly participated in scams masquerading as legitimate gaming operations.
The recent transfer of these cases to Metro Manila courts includes charges filed against workers caught in raids on POGO hubs accused of engaging in cryptocurrency scams, love scams, and other fraudulent activities. Some of these workers have been identified as part of human trafficking rings, lured by promises of legitimate employment only to be forced into illegal operations under harsh conditions.
By transferring the cases to Metro Manila, the DOJ aims to streamline the legal process and provide a more secure environment for witnesses, many of whom may have been victims of trafficking and coercion themselves. This strategic move also underscores the government’s intent to send a strong message against the exploitation of both local and foreign workers within the POGO industry.
