Authorities to Verify 4 ‘POGO-like Activities’ In Cebu

After uncovering two alleged Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs in Lapu-Lapu City and Moalboal Cebu, the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-CEVRO) is now trying to verify at least four POGO-like activities in the region.

READ: NBI Pushes Graft Charges Over Land Sales Leased to POGOs in Porac

The exact locations of four suspected POGO-like activities were not disclosed, but NBI-CEVRO Regional Director Rennan Augustus Oliva mentioned that they fall under the jurisdiction of Cebu Province and Cebu City.

READ: Women Coerced to Provide Sexual Services for POGO Clients by Chinese National

He noted that after the crackdown of two POGO hubs in Cebu, they received numerous reports on POGO-like activities, which is why they are proceeding in verifying them carefully.

Oliva admitted that it is not easy to verify because the areas are often secured, so they have to monitor regularly and proactively.

Authorities also shed light on POGO operations forming smaller groups and setting up in residential areas in order to evade authorities.

As to the alleged POGO hub in Moalboal, NBI-CEVRO operatives are still waiting for the Bureau of Immigration to determine the nationalities of people found there.

According to Oliva, he had talked to Moalboal Mayor Inocentes “Titing” G. Cabaron, who stated that 38 individuals rescued in Cebu’s surfing capital were Chinese nationals. The Moalboal police operation led to the confiscation of around 200 mobile phones, at least 34 sets of computers, and four laptop units.

In addition, they are also waiting to determine if the four missing Indonesian nationals were rescued in the raid.

On the other hand, NBI Cebu District Office (NBI-CEBDO) last October 23 executed a search warrant and re-entered the premises of Tourist Garden Hotel in Agus.

The search was focused on the office and room of Chinese Zhao Shou Qi, where they recovered company documents, business papers, seven steel vaults, and computers.

Following that, Oliva emphasized that the operation is in coordination with Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), which means that the seized evidence will be used to support additional cases that would be filed against Zhao.

Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia also had a warning to foreigners who may be secretly involved in POGOs.

“If there are illegal activities, like POGOs, I will not discount the possibility of their presence in Cebu City. But one thing that I can say is that we are monitoring, we are inching closer to them,” Garcia told the Philippine News Agency.

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