Authorities Confiscate P8 Million From POGO hub in Lapu-Lapu City

In a recent raid at the Tourist Garden Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City, authorities uncovered ₱8 million in cash hidden in a box, allegedly linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). The raid, conducted on August 31, 2024, revealed that the cash was concealed among bundles of ₱1,000 bills.

Arnel Pura, supervising agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cebu District Office, disclosed the findings on September 4. He reported that the cash was discovered during an inspection involving the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

“Because of the vigilance of our security upon inspection, it reveals that this box, which upon inspection, contains bundles of ₱1,000 bills,” Pura was quoted as saying in a report published by Sunstar.

Pura explained that on September 2, a Filipino worker, acting on the hotel owner’s instructions, attempted to move the box containing the cash along with other items such as rice and cooking oil. The attempt to smuggle the money was intercepted by authorities.

“Ang empleyado wala man siya’y motive or intent nga i-sneak out [money] gipadala lang sa iya ang cash gihalo sa bugas and mantika (The employee has no motive or intent to sneak out the money, it was given to the worker, and the cash was put together with the rice and cooking oil),” Pura said.

Instead of pressing charges against the worker, authorities will use him as a witness. The ₱8 million is considered proceeds of a crime, and its future will depend on the resolution of its custody, either through a search warrant or asset preservation process.

In a separate development, Zandrew Cantarona was arrested on September 2 after bringing 51 passports of Indonesian nationals to the hotel. These individuals were among the 169 foreign nationals detained during the raid. Cantarona, alleged to be an accessory to qualified trafficking in persons, was linked to a Chinese recruiter involved in trafficking Indonesian victims.

“Out of 69, 51 passports were submitted. So evaluating the situation, we determined that he could be possibly charged for accessories to human trafficking because he is in possession of those passports and that passport is material evidence to the case,” Pura said.

Cantarona’s identification cards and motorcycle used for transporting the passports were also confiscated. Additionally, 16 other foreign nationals were charged with human trafficking related to their activities at the POGO site.

NBI 7 Director Rennan Augustus Oliva indicated that the case involves charges of qualified trafficking in persons due to unpaid salaries and confiscation of passports. The investigation also includes a potential money laundering case.

“Trafficking for persons is a non-bailable offense and we are just starting. The task force and the PAOCC are just starting, we will be investigating further like the search warrant, we will be examining the computers and file additional charges,” Oliva said.

All 169 foreign nationals have been transported to Manila on September 4, where they will face charges and deportation proceedings.

Read related article: Alleged POGO Boss Nabbed in Cebu Tries to Bribe His Way Out of Lapu-Lapu City Raid