The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has arrested 86 foreign nationals in a raid conducted on a condominium unit serving as a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Makati City.
According to the CIDG, the raid was conducted under a Bureau of Immigration (BI) mission order against a Chinese national allegedly engaged in human trafficking.
The operation was initiated based on a complaint by a Filipina with a Chinese friend who was a victim of illegal activities and. The complaint led to the operation which netted the 86 aliens who were rounded up at the POGO hub on Senador Gil Puyat Ave. in Makati.
“The operation stemmed from a complaint and request for police assistance from a Filipina on behalf of her Chinese friend, who allegedly sent her a distress message seeking help from the Philippine government,” the CIDG said.
“The Chinese friend alleged that he was illegally detained, held against his will and prohibited from leaving the premises [of] his workplace,” it added.
The apprehended group consisted of 82 Chinese, three Vietnamese and one Malaysian national.
One of them was a Chinese identified only as alias Tran, an administrative staff at the POGO hub. Charges of violating the ‘Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act would be filed against the suspects.
According to the CIDG, the Pogo facility specialized in scams under the guise of an “e-commerce” operation, tricking users into giving personal information.
The CIDG said the foreigners were placed in the custody of the BI Fugitive Search Unit for documentation and further investigation for possible violations of laws and the Philippine Immigration Act and other laws.