Up to 158 foreign nationals, among whom are Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian, were rescued during a raid on an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Pampanga. 

Three security personnel were apprehended.

Foreign nationals were seen vacating a compound in Pampanga as they were tipped off about an impending operation by authorities. 

When the Presidential Anti Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF), and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrived at the compound, only a few individuals were left in the target area.

PAOCC said they were expecting almost a thousand foreign nationals.

"We're expecting [na] mas maraming mga foreign nationals dito. So unfortunately... maaring nag-leak yung information... we were expecting almost a thousand foreign nationals here," Dr. Winston John Casio, PAOCC spokesperson, said.

The raid was conducted based on reports of alleged scamming, torture, kidnapping, and sex trafficking within the compound.

"Mayroong tayong mga – yung reports na nakuha sa atin, initial report for rescue bus. May mga tinutorture dito, pinapalo ng mga baseball bat at mga pinagtatatadyakan dito. Mayroong tayong isang video ng isang diumano babae na pinagsasayaw dito at pinagpapasapasahan ng mga bosses [at ginagamit siya sexually]," Casio said.

PAOCC said the illegal POGO had been operating for over a year despite still being in the process of obtaining a license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Meanwhile, seven vehicles carrying fleeing POGO workers were intercepted near Clark. Those apprehended, including foreign nationals from the POGO, were transported immediately to Manila.

Upon arrival, they underwent immigration profiling and processing. 

They will also be interviewed by prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to identify other victims.