The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has charged 16 foreign nationals after raiding a suspected POGO hub in Cebu. The NBI’s Central Visayas office filed qualified human trafficking charges following the raid in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City.
During the August 31 raid, authorities rescued over 100 foreign workers. They reported that criminal recruiters lured these individuals to the Philippines under false job offers and forced them into online scam operations.
The NBI identified the following individuals as suspects: 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.
In addition, authorities charged Filipino national Zandrew Magdaluyo Cantarona as an accessory. They found him with passports belonging to 51 Indonesian nationals who worked at the POGO site.
NBI-7 Director Renan Oliva confirmed that investigators are also pursuing another suspect. They are now building a case against a hotel employee who allegedly attempted to remove a box containing PHP8 million (approximately $142,000) linked to the illegal operation. The employee may face charges soon. Authorities officially filed all charges following an inquest conducted on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has identified five Filipino witnesses. These witnesses previously worked at another POGO site in Pampanga and plan to testify against the accused. They allege that the suspects and their Filipino partners ran a similar illegal operation, which authorities shut down in June 2024.
The raid followed a tip from the Indonesian embassy. Officials alerted the NBI after three Indonesian nationals escaped from unlawful detention at the Tourist Garden Hotel. These individuals provided crucial information that led to the rescue.
During the rescue operation, authorities freed 93 Chinese, 69 Indonesians, six Burmese, and one Malaysian. The victims had all been coerced into working for online scam groups.
Following the raid, the Bureau of Immigration charged the rescued workers with immigration violations. The charges included working without valid visas and lacking proper travel documents.
On September 4, 2024, authorities transferred the rescued individuals from Lapu-Lapu City to Manila. They used a C-130 military aircraft for the transport. Currently, the PAOCC is housing the victims in a secure Pasay City facility while preparing for their deportation.
At present, the 16 accused individuals remain in custody. They now await further legal proceedings. The NBI-7 continues to dig deeper into the case and may soon file additional charges, including those related to money laundering.
Investigators also aim to secure a search warrant. They plan to examine electronic devices confiscated during the raid. These devices could provide new evidence, help uncover additional victims, and expose the broader scope of the operation.
In response to the discovery of illegal activity, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan ordered the immediate closure of the Tourist Garden Hotel on September 2. He emphasized that the local government had no prior knowledge of the POGO-linked criminal operations happening on the premises.
