POGO 16 face trafficking raps

CEBU, Philippines — Seven counts of qualified trafficking in person have been filed in court against 16 foreign nationals and one Filipino in relation to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operation in Lapu-Lapu City.

Arnel Pura, National Bureau of Investigation Cebu District Office (NBI CEBDO) agent-in-charge, said the filing of the charges was done after the panel of state prosecutors of the Department of Justice has approved the recommendation of the NBI CEBDO, NBI-7 and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking-7 for the said charges against all the accused on September 5, 2024.

To recall, on Aug. 31, operatives of NBI CEBDO, in joint coordination with the NBI Central Visayas Regional Office (NBI CENRO)-7 conducted a simultaneous joint rescue operation together with the member/officers from the IACAT-7 composed of National Prosecution Service(NPS), Bureau of Immigration(BI), Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 and also in closed coordination with Presidential Anti- Organize Crime Commission(PAOCC), Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) and Military Intelligence Group(MIG7).

The operation resulted in the arrest of sixteen foreign individuals led by Chinese Zhao Shou Qi a.k.a. "Lao Fan , inside the Tourist Garden Hotel located in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City, who  acted in conspiracy with one another in violating the provisions under R.A.9208 (Qualified Trafficking) as amended by R.A.10364 .

The 16 individuals charged are: Zhao, Shao Qi alias  Lao Fan ; Zhao, Long alias  Xiao Long ; Yang, Teng Da; Ke, Rong Mou alias  Jordan   Lang Mao   Yuki ; Ji, Hui alias  Xiao Xi ; Hu, Yonghong; Dai, Chun Lin; and Zhong, Donglin alias  Edison ,  Xiao Hei ; Luo, Peng alias  Alang ; Ma, Yi; Shen, Wen Xia alias  Xi Xi ; Zhuang, Jian Guo alias  Wang Fang ; and Wen, Qi Zhen. All of legal ages and Chinese nationals.

The NBI also brought to court Halim Lona alias  Grace , and Joni, alias  Gio , both Indonesian nationals; and Myanmar national San Thwe Thwe.

In addition, Mr. Zandrew Magdaluyo Cantarona, a Filipino respondent was also included and indicted as an  accessory to the offense as charged through virtual inquest proceedings conducted before the office of NPS-DOJ Manila.

Pura cited that there were 169 foreign nationals rescued inside the heavily gated hotel comprising 69 Indonesians, 93 Chinese, six Burmese, and one Malaysian.

During the operation, it was discovered that the said hotel was used as a POGO hub with the discovery of three cybercrime farm sites.

The agents/operatives observed that most of the rescued victims were working in front of their respective computer systems showing scantily clad women in their computer screens, which aroused suspicion that they are dealing with illegal activities such as "love scam", pornography conducted through internet, and investment fraud.

On Sept. 4, two search warrants were obtained through the Office of Presiding Executive Judge Jospeh Stephen Ygnacio of Branch 67, Regional Trial Court of Lapu-Lapu City, that resulted in the seizure and confiscations of several computer systems, mobile phones, gadgets, SIM cards and script used in the scamming activities, cash proceeds to the crime, documents such as logbooks, official receipts and other book of accounts pertaining to the illegal activities.

The case stemmed from the referral letter from Hon. Mary Francis Manug-Daquipil, Chief Prosecutor of Mandaue City, endorsing to NBI CEBDO two Indonesian nationals who were complainants for slight illegal detention pending inquest resolution against their Chinese employers.

During the interview, these two individuals and forty (40) others were victims of human trafficking were working at POGO hub controlled by their Chinese bosses/leaders and were part of the group who were able to elude arrest during a raid at Lucky 9 South 99 in Porac, Pampanga, Central Luzon.

In relation to this, an Order from Hon. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin was directed to AMLA to apply for an Assets Preservation Order for all the assets, vehicles and building structures located within the compound of the said hotel.

Pura added that of the 169 foreign nationals rescued, one was under the custody of the DSWD for being a minor.

All the other 168 foreign nationals, including the 16 accused and one Filipino, are now under the custody of PAOCC at the National Capital Region.

Pura said that after due hearing, the court will rule or issue a decision whether all the accused will be put behind bars at the Lapu-Lapu City jail facility or will stay at PAOCC while awaiting trial.

Pura also said that some of the foreign nationals were utilized as witnesses in the crime and they will only be released after they will be called as witness and testify in court.

However, Pura said that all those foreign nationals rescued also faces of various violations under the Immigration law such as overstaying, working without a visa, among others.

Lapu-Lapu City police

Meanwhile, following the relief of the P/Col. Ali Baron as Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) director, P/Col. Dyan Agustin, who was the former Commander of Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) Unit 7 of Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7) has been assigned as the LCPO officer-in-charge (OIC).

This was confirmed by P/Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of PRO-7, who also mentioned that the regional office was the one who assigned Agustin.

Baron on the other hand, who has served as LCPO director, will now report to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame.

In an interview, Agustin admitted that he is still adjusting to his new position, as he was just assigned to Lapu-Lapu last Friday.

Having served as a police officer for almost 26 years, Agustin mentioned that he has been assigned to various units and across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Before becoming the commander of the RMFB-7, where he served for over a year, he was also part of the National Support Unit of the Anti-Cybercrime Group.

Agustin assured that he will align his actions with the direction of the local government unit and that he is fully ready to serve the people of Lapu-Lapu City.

Sa akin 100 percent akong ready. Sa part ng PNP, always we cannot say sa kababayan natin na  hindi ako ready sandali lang muna . Kung may nangyayari na krimen, kailangan natin aksyonan. So always, 100 percent ready saan man tayo mapunta,  he said.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan, on the other hand, assured the continued support of the local government for the PNP.

We will maintain the peace and order in our city as we all know that we are a tourism city, daghan ta g mga turista. Mas ganahan sila ma-ingganyo mo-ari diri kung peaceful ang atoang lugar,  he said.

Ato siyang gipahibaw nga bawal gyud ang illegal diri sa atong siyudad. Bisan unsa nga matang basta illegal dili na welcome sa siyudad sa Lapu-Lapu, ma-droga man, ma-sugal man, o ma-online scam, di na pwede sa atong siyudad,  he added.

For Agustin, on the other hand, he said he would prioritize the fight against illegal drugs, dismantling of loose firearms, and apprehending wanted individuals.

He also wants to focus more on cybercrimes, highlighting the recent rescue operation in Agus, where love scams and investment scams were being conducted.

Agustin will implement the PRO-7 approach of training two police officers in every substation of LCPO on the technical know-how to effectively combat cybercrime.

He cited situations from previous years where many cases were referred exclusively to the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit, leaving local stations unable to assist victims effectively. These often caused frustration on the side of the people, who felt ignored by their local police stations.

Magpa-train tayo ng mga police natin who would be positioned sa lowest level ng unit ng station para sila ang mag-asikaso sa lahat ng mga kaso involving cybercrimes  Then we connect with Anti-Cybercrime Unit dito sa PRO-7 para ma address yung sa scam or anything na involving yung electronic materials na ginagamit po natin,  Agustin stressed.

Moreover, Mayor Chan also emphasized that the LGU will continue to provide the necessary resources to aid the police in their operations, including transportation, fuel, logistics, and allowances.

Atong support sa PNP naa kanunay as long as unsay ilang gikinahanglan atong ihatag So wa mi para amo murag sobra sobra sa among kapolisan kay i do believe dako na kaayo nag role atong police sa atong lugar sa Lapu-Lapu,  he said.(CEBU NEWS)