A raid on two houses in Muntinlupa City led to the arrest of eight foreign nationals suspected of being involved in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities.
The operation was carried out by a team from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), with reports highlighting the seizure of gadgets allegedly used in various scamming activities.
Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano commented on the operation, noting that the suspects believed they could evade law enforcement by operating within gated communities. “These foreign nationals thought they could carry out their illegal activities in clandestine settings, but thanks to vigilant neighbors, there is no safe place for them anymore,” Clavano stated.
The first raid resulted in the arrest of three Chinese nationals, while a subsequent raid on a second house led to the capture of four additional Chinese suspects and a Vietnamese national. Authorities are currently investigating potential connections between the suspects and a previously raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.
One of the arrested suspects, speaking through an interpreter, claimed to be a businessman with plans to open a restaurant in the Philippines. He expressed an intention to return to China if business opportunities did not materialize locally. The other detainees declined to issue any statements.
The successful operation was reportedly based on tips from concerned community members. The eight suspects are now in the custody of the NBI as authorities continue their investigation into their alleged roles in illegal POGO operations.
