AGENTS of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Tuesday smashed a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm in Subic, Zambales found to be illegally operating and defying the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr..

PNP-CIDG director Maj. Gen. Leo M. Francisco said the illegal POGO hub was found at no. 9-B Grooper St., Subic Freeport Zone in Zambales following days of surveillance.

“We have discovered an illegal POGO ring in Zambales amid the directive of PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil for us to ensure that the directive of President Marcos banning POGO operations in the country would be fully implemented,” said the official.

Francisco said the Subic raid resulted in the arrest of two suspects identified as “Bao Go” and “A Hai” and the rescue of 18 other Chinese nationals believed to have been victims of human trafficking.

He said that the operation was conducted by members of the CIDG Intelligence Division, in coordination with the CIDG Olongapo Field Unit, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Law Enforcement Division.

Armed with a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 9208 as amended by RA No. 10364 also known as The Expanded Human Trafficking Act of 2012 in relation to Sec. 6 of RA or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 issued by Judge Melani Fay Tadili of the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 99, the CIDG officers raided the establishment.

Francisco said that recovered during the raid were 18 desktop computers, two CCTV DVRs, six Android mobile phones, six iPhones, assorted documents, bank cards, IDs, passports, a safety vault, and assorted bolos.

The search was conducted in the presence of required government witnesses and the suspects were duly informed of their constitutional rights before being taken to Camp Crame.

The arrested suspects will be facing criminal charges for violation of RA 9208 as amended by RA 10364.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon