Chinese 'manager' linked to Porac POGO hub arrested in Clark — CIDG

A Chinese national who is allegedly the manager of a raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga was arrested during the implementation of a search warrant in a Clark leisure park on Thursday, the police said Friday.

At a press briefing, Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Major General Leo Francisco said 14 safety vaults were also confiscated in five villas in the area.

“So the result of the implementation of the search warrant was the confiscation of 14 safety vaults in the five villas that we have searched last night,” Francisco said.

“We have one Chinese national now under investigation and he was turned over to the PAOCC for questioning. The investigation is ongoing at the moment,” he added.

Francisco said the arrested Chinese national was one of the “big bosses” in the POGO hub in Porac. He said the police are also looking for more personalities linked to the illegal POGOs in Porac and Bamban, Tarlac.

Charges of human trafficking, physical injury, and Access Devices Regulation Act violations will be filed against the arrested suspect, according to Francisco.

Following the crackdown against POGOs involved in illegal activities, Francisco said perpetrators shifted to small-scale operations.

Authorities raided the POGO hub in Porac earlier this month and rescued 158 foreign nationals and also discovered evidence of torture and kidnapping.

In March, more than 800 Filipinos and foreign nationals were also rescued in a POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac after it was raided for alleged illegal activities that include crypto and love scams. Human trafficking and illegal detention were allegedly being committed in the compound. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News