The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) charged 16 foreign nationals after raiding a site in Cebu. The NBI’s Central Visayas office charged these individuals with qualified human trafficking following the raid on a suspected Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City.
During the August 31st raid, authorities rescued over 100 foreign workers who had reportedly been lured to the Philippines under false pretenses and forced into online scam operations.
The individuals charged with human trafficking are Zhao Shao Qi (aka Lao Fan), Zhao Long (aka Xiao Long), Yang Teng Da, Ke Rong Mou (aka Jordan), Ji Hui (aka Xiao Xi), Hu Yonghong, Dai Chun Lin, Zhong Donglin (aka Edison), Lona Halim (aka Grace), Joni (aka Gio), San Thwe Thwe, Luo Peng (aka Alang), Ma Yi, Shen Wen Xia (aka Xi Xi), Zhuang Jian Guo (aka Wang Fang), and Wen Qi Zhen.
Additionally, authorities charged Zandrew Magdaluyo Cantarona, a Filipino, as an accessory after finding him in possession of passports belonging to 51 Indonesians employed at the POGO hub.
NBI-7 Director Renan Oliva noted that investigators are looking into a hotel employee suspected of trying to remove a box containing PHP8 million ($142K) linked to the illegal operations. The employee may face charges as well. Authorities officially filed the charges after an inquest on Tuesday.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) identified five Filipino witnesses who are set to testify against the accused. These witnesses, who previously worked at another POGO hub in Pampanga, claim that the accused and their Filipino associates were involved in a similar illegal operation that was shut down in June 2024.
The raid occurred after the Indonesian embassy tipped off authorities about three Indonesian nationals who had escaped from the Tourist Garden Hotel, where they were unlawfully detained.
During the operation, authorities rescued 93 Chinese, 69 Indonesians, six Burmese, and one Malaysian, all of whom had been coerced into online scams.
Following the raid, the Bureau of Immigration charged the rescued workers with lacking proper documentation and working without valid visas. On September 4th, 2024, authorities transported the rescued individuals from Lapu-Lapu City to Manila on a C-130 military aircraft. The PAOCC is currently housing them in Pasay City while preparing for their deportation.
Meanwhile, the 16 accused individuals remain in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings. The NBI-7 continues to investigate and may file additional charges, including money laundering, against the suspects.
Investigators are also seeking a search warrant to examine electronic devices seized during the raid, which may provide further evidence of criminal activities and help identify more victims.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan ordered the immediate closure of the Tourist Garden Hotel on September 2nd, stating that the city was unaware of the illegal POGO activities occurring on the premises.