By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan (PNA)| September 5, 2024

MANILA – Police authorities swooped down on an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility in Zambales.

In a report on Thursday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said the operation conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the hub located at 9-B Grouper Street inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone resulted in the rescue of 18 Chinese nationals.

Police also arrested two suspects, with aliases “Bao Go” and “A Hai” for alleged human trafficking.

The operation stemmed from a search warrant issued by the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 97 dated Sept. 3 for possible violation of human trafficking laws.

Police seized during the operation 18 desktop computers, assorted mobile phones, documents, bank cards, IDs, a safety vault, and some bolos (large knives).

The search was witnessed by barangay officials and a representative from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It was confirmed that no minors were among the rescued individuals during the operation.

Francisco said the suspects were duly informed of their rights under the Constitution and the Anti-Torture Law, in a language they understood.

Further, all body-worn cameras and alternative recording devices were activated throughout the operation to ensure transparency and compliance with legal protocols.

The arrested suspects, rescued individuals, and seized pieces of evidence are currently in the custody of the CIDG Intelligence Division at Camp Crame, Quezon City, for documentation and further disposition.

A criminal complaint for violations of Republic Act (RA) 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), as amended by RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act), is being prepared for submission to the appropriate prosecutor’s office. 

‘No POGOs’

In July, a senior official of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) gave the assurance that there are no POGOs in the Freeport.

“Definitely, wala na po,” said SBMA Deputy Administrator for Business John Aquino on July 10 at the Pampanga Press Club’s KapiHann at Hann Resorts’ Swissotel media forum.

“The last one we had was closed days after the Bamban and Porac incidents,” he added.

Aquino said the last POGO in Subic was Tele Empire, which was shut down by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) by revoking its license to operate. Tele Empire was consequently advised to pre-terminate its contract of lease with the sub-lessor, Aquino added.

The SBMA official also revealed that before the Covid-19 pandemic, several POGOs were operating in Subic, but most of the workers had returned to China during the pandemic and some POGO firms closed. – With Taktikom research