ON orders of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has stepped up its efforts to smash illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) which continue to defy President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for a total ban on the industry.

The PNP has remained vigilant in monitoring and addressing crimes linked to these operations, including cases of illegal detention, financial fraud, and human trafficking, said Gen. Marbil.

Last Wednesday, combined agents of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the PNP-CIDG smashed another secret POGO establishment-turned ‘scam farm’ in Makati City.

The raid at the Flying Future Services, Inc., located at 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 Torre III.

The official said the raid was conducted amid the order of Gen. Marbil for them to team up with the PAOCC chaired by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin in going after POGO operators and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) 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 that 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 is 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, 1 Mongolian, 1 from St. Kitts & Nevis, 1 Brazilian and 13 Malaysians.

The apprehended foreigners and Filipinos are now being investigated for involvement in trafficking in person, illegal gambling and other cybercrimes.

The 96 foreigners are also being probed for violation of the country’s immigration laws, the PNP-CIDG director said.

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 he 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.

“Rest assured that your CIDG is unyielding in catching and raiding individuals and syndicates, local or foreign nationals who are involved in all types of crimes in the country including trafficking in persons and illegal operations of POGOs/IGLs,” said the official.

Recent investigations have revealed that some criminal incidents, including kidnappings, stem from disputes related to underground gambling and cyber fraud illegal activities often associated with former POGO operations, according to PNP Public Information Office chief, Colonel Randulf T. Tuaño.

From January 2024 to February 2025, the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) headed by Col. Elmer R. Ragay recorded a total of 40 kidnapping cases, 10 of which involved Chinese nationals as victims, all reportedly abducted by fellow Chinese perpetrators.

These incidents highlight the continuing challenges posed by criminal syndicates operating in the aftermath of the POGO shutdown, said Col. Tuaño.

Usec. Cruz said that to prevent the spread of community-borne diseases, they are currently disinfecting the entire PAOCC custodial facility located in FB Harrison, Pasay City.

“This was recommended by the medical professionals who conduct the weekly check-up and evaluation of the detained POGO workers after some were diagnosed with influenza and respiratory infections, the official said.

Usec. Cruz said all sick detainees at their Pasay City facility are now undergoing proper medical treatment.

The official said they are also isolating all sick foreign nationals in one section of the facility to prevent the further spread of the pathogens.

Moreover, the Agency is now coordinating with the Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development to institute better health practices in their lock-up facility.

At present, 899 foreign nationals are now currently inside the facility awaiting their eventual deportation or repatriation to their home countries.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon