DAVAO CITY: Eight Chinese nationals allegedly operating a Pogo hub inside a residential subdivision here were arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday (Aug 12) afternoon.
“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 the presence of Pogo operations inside a house at Gardenia Street, Montclair Highlands Subdivision along Diversion Road, Buhangin District here.
Seized items from the arrested individuals included 10 personal computers and multiple mobile phones.
“Operators have been splitting into smaller groups and moving into residential areas to avoid detection following the nationwide crackdown,” Albao said.
“It has been an emerging pattern in illegal Pogo activities. There is a need for constant community vigilance and rapid law enforcement response,” he added.
The eight individuals, six men and two women, are now in NBI custody and will be charged with violation of Presidential Decree No.1602 (Anti-illegal gambling), Republic Act 9160 (Anti-Money Laundering), and Republic Act 10363 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons).
The NBI-SEMRO continues to urge the public to report suspicious activities in their respective communities, including illegal offshore gaming operations.
“Crimes often accompany them, including money laundering, cybercrime, and human trafficking,” Albao said.
The operation on Tuesday demonstrates the NBI’s campaign as directed by NBI Director Jaime Santiago against offshore gaming that undermines the nation’s economy and national security, he added.
“The Bureau’s continued commitment to act swiftly on community intelligence, track evolving criminal tactics, and disallow illegal gambling operations to rebrand, resize, or relocate as a way to circumvent the law,” Santiago said in a statement. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
