Summary
Authorities in Moalboal, Cebu, have carried out a search and seizure operation targeting suspected illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO). Following a court order, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and other police units searched a resort in Sitio Calingking, confiscating computers, laptops, cellphones, and vehicles linked to 38 Chinese nationals arrested for violating the Alien Registration Act. Investigations continue to determine connections to human trafficking and splinter POGO groups, with forensic examinations pending on seized devices.
Court-Approved Search Targets Illegal POGO Hub in Cebu
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Central Visayas served a warrant to search, seize, and examine data on computer units, laptops, and cellphones confiscated inside a resort in Sitio Calingking, Barangay Saavedra, Moalboal town, Cebu seen to resemble POGO operations.
The search stemmed from permission of the court to a legal step of CIDG-Provincial Field Unit, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit, Moalboal Police station, and other units of the Philippine National Police to have the pieces of evidence examined.
The search was facilitated on October 14, 2024.
At least 38 nationals were arrested earlier for violation of Republic Act 562 as amended by Republic Act 751 entitled Alien Registration Act of 1950 when they failed to present their passports and other pertinent documents to support their presence in the Philippines.
Six vehicles used by the Chinese nationals were also part of the search. The confiscated items are set for a forensic examination to be carried out by the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit.
Charges for violation of the Alien Registration Act have already been filed against the suspects.
“The possibility that they are also victims of human trafficking cannot also be discounted, that is why ongoing pa atong investigation, as I’ve mentioned naa tay gamay’ng challenge diha because there are 38 [arrested Chinese nationals], but we only have one interpreter or translator,” Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, said.
Lt. Col. Pelare said they have indicators that the arrested individuals could possibly be part of splinter groups of POGO hubs that have already been dismantled in areas in Luzon.
“We have indications nga kini sila were just mga splinter groups from that main group, that is why ongoing pa gihapon ang atong pag-conduct og operations in Cebu Province pertaining to these kind of illegal activities because it is possible nga naa pay laing grupo,” Pelare added.
The Chinese nationals were spotted living in a resort in Barangay Saavedra, about seven kilometers from the town center.
Presence of the said Chinese nationals was confirmed in a joint inspection of the Office of the Building Official of the Local Government Unit of Moalboal, the Municipal Peace and Order Council with the Moalboal Police, and the Bureau of Fire Protection for fire safety in a resort in Sitio Calingking at about 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
The authorities went to talk to the Chinese-looking individuals. However, no one among them could speak in English. The Chinese nationals also failed to present pertinent documents such as their passports.
Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron said that after the raid conducted against a POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations) hub in Lapu-Lapu City in September 2024, he issued an executive order directing barangay captains to monitor tightly suspicious activities in their respective areas, specially that the municipality is a major international tourist destination where foreign nationals converge.
“Pirmero ana dunay nag-info namo nga ang kanang Happy Bear (resort) nag-apply og high-speed nga Internet (Wi-Fi), mao man nay usa sa mga requirements, di ba? (POGO-like events), maong ga-meeting mi together with the different barangay captains but before ana nag-issue na ko (og) executive order nga kinahanglan mostrictly monitor ang mga barangay captains sa presence of any POGO hub-like sa ilang area,” the mayor said.
Pelare disclosed that the inspection led to the confiscation of at least 34 sets of computers, four laptop units, and about 200 cellphones.
Based on accounts of residents near the said resort, the presence of Chinese-looking foreigners is observed for three weeks already prior to the apprehension.
The foreigners have arrived in batches, a resident named “Teddy” said.
The residents also noticed that the foreigners are noisy by the nighttime, but quiet at daytime.
“Mga tulo ka semana na sila diha, abi ko gamay ra sila daghan man diay na. Magabii gud saba ba,” another resident said.
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