Up to 150 foreign nationals were rounded up at a gated compound in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu where authorities believe a POGO hub was operating.

“This is 100% an illegal POGO. Illegal po ito dahil walang POGO na may lisensya sa Cebu Province. Lahat ng mga nakita namin dito ay enough evidence to file a cybercrime offense dito for facilitating cybercrime related gambling, cybercrime related qualified trafficking,” said Winson Casio, Director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.

The commission carried the operation out with the National Bureau of Investigation.

Also present were representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Immigration, and Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking.

The operation was hatched upon the request of the Indonesian Embassy after two of three Indonesian nationals reportedly escaped from the compound in July 2024 and filed complaints.

The operation on August 31, 2024 was supposed to be a rescue mission.

Atty. Renan Oliva, Regional Director of NBI-7, said they, indeed, rescued at least six Indonesian from the compound but discovered there were more foreign nationals there.

“We rescued at least six Indonesian nationals who were requested for rescue. In the course of our rescue, we discovered more foreign nationals, those from Myanmar, as well as Chinese nationals… we discovered Chinese nationals were also engaged in activities that appear to be related to scam activities,” Oliva said.

DSWD also rescued one minor.

“Yung minor na nakuha namin, pumunta rito just to teach one of the guests dancing lessons,” said Emma Patalinghug, Social Welfare Officer.

The compound is gated with up to 10 buildings, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and other amenities.

Inside, movements of some foreigners were allegedly restricted and they were not allowed to go out.

GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak tried to get statements from some of the foreign nationals but refused to give any.

But Casio said that according to their stories, most of the foreign nationals reportedly escaped from Pampanga during a PAOCC raid and their managers allegedly brought them to Cebu.

Part of the continuing investigation is to look into the contents of the computers found at the compound.

“Ito ang first time namin sa PAOCC dito sa Cebu Province but we have heard reports of other possible illegal POGOs in this island region,” Casio said.