One of the computer monitors confiscated during the raid shows illegal online casino operations are taking place. (Photo courtesy of CIDG)
97 foreign workers arrested in Makati POGO raid
COMBINED agents of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group smashed another secret Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator or POGO establishment-turned ‘scam farm’ in Makati City, officials said yesterday.
The raid at the Flying Future Services, Inc. located on the 21st floor of Yuchengco Tower 1 in RCBC Plaza in Makati City led to the apprehension of 131 workers of the secret establishment, 96 of them foreign nationals, said PNP-CIDG director, Major General Nicolas D. Torre III.
The official said the raid was conducted amid the order of PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil for them to fully partner with the PAOCC chaired by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin in going after POGO operators who continue to defy the presidential directive last year banning all POGO and Internet Gaming Licensees or IGL operations in the country.
“This is part of our crackdown against economic sabotage, human trafficking and all illegal operations of POGOs and IGLs,” said Maj. Gen. Torre.
The official said members of the CIDG National Capital Region Field Unit and Southern Police District Field Unit, joined by officers from the PAOCC led by their Executive Director Gilbert DC Cruz and the local police raided the establishment following a tip from a foreign national regarding alleged illegal online activities taking place in the area.
Prior to that, officers served a warrant of arrest for robbery against one ‘Michael’ at the premises of the building.
Maj. Gen. Torre said that they later confirmed that an online casino gaming being run by Filipinos and foreign nationals was taking place in the area prompting them to make the arrests.
Of the 131 workers apprehended, 96 are foreign nationals composed of 58 Chinese, 12 Taiwanese, 2 Vietnamese, one Mongolian, one St. Kitts & Nevis, a small country in the Caribbean, one Brazilian, and 13 Malaysians.
The apprehended foreigners and Filipinos were now being investigated for involvement in trafficking in person, illegal gambling, and other cybercrimes. The 96 foreigners were also being probed for violation of the country’s immigration laws.
Confiscated during the operation were various electronic devices and other documents being used in alleged illegal online activities by the suspects.
Maj. Gen. Torre said that among the 96 foreigners arrested were one ‘Guge’ whom they described as the boss of Intech World Company; one ‘Layson,’ said to be the head of the Omniach Company’ and a certain ‘Younger,’ said to be the boss of Urban Ideas.
The three companies were said to be sub-companies of Flying Future Services, Inc. which was described as a software development company engaged in illegal POGO operations.
The arrested suspects were charged before the National Prosecution Service with violations of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, illegal gambling under Presidential Decree 1602 and RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The arrested Filipinos were placed under the custody of CIDG Southern District Field Unit while the arrested foreigners were brought to the PAOCC custodial facility for further documentation and eventual deportation.
“This operation underscores the PNP CIDG, other National Government Agencies, and Local Government Units’ intensified efforts against illegal POGOs and IGLs, pursuant to Executive Order Number 74,” said Maj. Gen. Torre.
