8 foreigners allegedly linked to POGO nabbed in Muntinlupa

A raid on two houses in a village in Muntinlupa City resulted in the arrest of eight foreigners suspected of being linked to illegal operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

According to a report by Bam Alegre of GMA Integrated News, the raiding team composed of the Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, and the National Bureau of Investigation also confiscated gadgets used by the suspects in their scamming activities.

"Feeling ng mga foreign nationals in illegal activities na safer sila (These foreign nationals thought they can carry out their illegal activities) in gated communities, clandestine, but because we have vigilant neighbors there is no safe place for them anymore," said Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano. 

The first house raid yielded three Chinese suspects.  Four more Chinese suspects and a Vietnamese national were nabbed in the second house.

Authorities are looking into the links of the suspects in the raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.

One of the suspects, speaking through an interpreter, said he was a businessman planning to establish a restaurant.  He added he intends to return to China if he does not find a business in the country.

The other suspects did not issue statements.

According to the report, the houses were raided on information from concerned citizens in the community.

The suspects are in the custody of NBI.—LDF, GMA Integrated News