A cease and desist order was issued against a hotel in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City used purportedly as a POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations) hub.
Mayor Junard Chan said that he has not allowed any POGO hub in Lapu-Lapu City, although there was one application he received prior to the declaration of President Marcos, Jr. on the total ban of POGO hubs in the country.
“I have not issued a POGO permit in Lapu-Lapu City,” Mayor Chan said in an interview with GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak.
As for Police Col. Ali Baron, city director of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said that their office has not had any complaints on trafficking of persons in relation to POGO operations.
Agus barangay chairman Jimboy Igot said that he has not received any complaints against POGOs as well. Instead, the complaints are more on outdoor burning of garbage.
“Wala may kadudahan. Nya naa pay trabahante diha nga taga nganha, mga security guard nga taga-Agus, wala pa man pud sila mosulti namo nga murag naay POGO unsa na. Wala man,” Igot said.
Up to 150 foreign nationals were rounded up at a gated compound in Barangay Agus 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.
