8 Chinese arrested as NBI raids Pogo in Davao City subdivision
Despite the total ban imposed by President Marcos on all Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country, some continue to operate on a smaller scale in residential communities, away from city hubs and economic zones, according to the National Bureau of Investigation.
The NBI, one of the government agencies tasked to implement the order of Mr. Marcos, pointed to this “emerging pattern” after its South-Eastern Mindanao Regional Office arrested on Tuesday eight Chinese nationals reportedly working at a Pogo hub inside a subdivision in Davao City.
The Chinese Pogo workers—six males and two females—are facing charges of violating Executive Order No. 13, as well as related laws, such as the Anti-Illegal Gambling Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
“The operation was initiated by the agency after a homeowner’s complaint regarding suspicious activities inside a residential property,” said lawyer Arcelito Albao, director of the NBI’s South-Eastern Mindanao Regional Office.
Prompt surveillance and verification by NBI agents confirmed that a Pogo was operating inside a house on Gardenia Street in Montclair Highlands Subdivision, along Diversion Road in Buhangin District.
Among the items seized from the suspects were 10 personal computers and mobile phones that were used to facilitate illegal online games.
The NBI said the gadgets and equipment will undergo forensic examination “to trace digital evidence and uncover the broader network and financial trail of the operation.”
Strategic shift
“Operators have begun splitting into smaller groups and moving into residential areas to avoid detection following the nationwide crackdown,” it noted in a statement.
“This strategic shift underscores the need for constant community vigilance and rapid law enforcement response,” it said.
In his third State of the Nation Address in 2024, Mr. Marcos ordered a complete ban on Pogos in the country after authorities said the rise in crimes attributed to their operations, such as human trafficking, money laundering and fraud, far outweighed their economic benefits.
The President’s directive was later formalized through EO 13.
The NBI, meanwhile, urged the public to report suspicious Pogo-like activities in their community or neighborhood.
“Crimes often accompany them, including money laundering, cybercrime and human trafficking,” Albao said.
The operation on Tuesday is in line with the NBI’s campaign as directed by NBI Director Jaime Santiago against offshore gaming, which undermines the country’s economy and national security, he added.
