The NBI has uncovered key evidence in its investigation into illegal POGO activities at the Tourist Garden Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has uncovered crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation into alleged Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities at the Tourist Garden Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City.On November 5, 2024, NBI agents seized P400,000 in cash and various documents from seven vaults recovered from the office of arrested Chinese national Shouqi Zhao. These items are expected to reinforce both the anti-money laundering case and the human trafficking charges against 17 individuals linked to Zhao’s operations.
NBI Cebu District Office agent-in-charge, Arnel Pura, confirmed that the seized documents include lease contracts, accounting books, and transaction ledgers, all of which could serve as key evidence in proving the criminal operations tied to Zhao’s group. These findings follow a previous discovery of P8.2 million in cash smuggled by a hotel employee, solidifying the case against those involved in illegal POGO operations and human trafficking.
“There are many documents. We can’t go through them all individually, but most of them are related to business ownership, lease contracts for the compound, and coupons given to customers,” he told Cebu-based daily SunStar.
The vaults, along with the newly recovered documents, further support the accusations that Zhao leased the property used for illegal activities. Pura emphasized that the NBI would request custody of the seized items for further examination, ensuring they could assist in strengthening the case for money laundering and human trafficking.
This new development adds to the growing scrutiny over illegal POGOs in Cebu. The NBI’s continued investigation highlights the complex nature of these operations, which often involve international networks and violations of Philippine laws.
The Tourist Garden Hotel operation came in the wake of a series of raids across Cebu, part of an ongoing national effort to dismantle illegal POGO hubs. In August 2024, the Lapu-Lapu City government, led by Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, ordered the closure of the hotel after discovering illegal POGO activities, prompting further investigations and raids by various law enforcement agencies, including the NBI and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
Mayor Chan had initially acted on reports of foreign nationals being trafficked and exploited in illegal online gambling operations. His office has worked closely with the NBI to monitor and shut down unauthorized gaming establishments in the region.
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