MANILA – A coordinated operation by various government agencies led to the arrest of 29 foreign nationals engaged in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities in a resort in Silang, Cavite on Wednesday.
The operation was a response to a complaint filed by the owner of Elijosh Resort in Barangay Lalaan 2, who reported unusual activity at the establishment.
The resort owner told the police that foreign nationals, predominantly Chinese, had been entering the premises with gambling equipment, including computers and laptops.
The raid was carried out by a joint team from the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Calabarzon Regional Field Unit, the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Fugitive Search Unit, the Cavite Police Provincial Office, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 23 Chinese nationals and six Myanmar nationals, all of whom were allegedly working in the underground POGO operation.
The suspects were apprehended after a mission order was issued by the BI, which is now overseeing deportation proceedings.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had declared all POGOs banned in the country amid the industry’s involvement in criminal activities. (With Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)