SUBIC POGO HUB SMASHED

A PHILIPPINE Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) company in Subic, Zambales found to be illegally operating and defying the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday was smashed by agents of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

According to PNP-CIDG director Maj. Gen. Leo M. Francisco, the illegal POGO hub was found at no. 9-B Grooper St., Subic Freeport Zone in Zambales following days of surveillance.

“We have discovered an illegal POGO ring in Zambales amid the directive of PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil for us to ensure that the directive of President Marcos banning POGO operations in the country would be fully implemented,” Francisco said.

The official said the  Subic raid resulted in the arrest of two suspects identified as “Bao Go” and “A Hai” and the rescue of 18 other Chinese nationals believed to have been victims of human trafficking.

Members of the CIDG Intelligence Division, in coordination with the CIDG Olongapo Field Unit, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Law Enforcement Division, conducted the operation.

Armed with a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 9208 as amended by RA No. 10364 also known as The Expanded Human Trafficking Act of 2012 in relation to Sec. 6 of RA or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 issued by Judge Melani Fay Tadili of the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 99, the CIDG officers launched the raid.

Seized during the operation were 18 desktop computers, two CCTV DVRs, six  Android mobile phones, six  iPhones, assorted documents, bank cards, IDs, passports, a safety vault, and assorted bolos.

Charges for violation of RA 9208 as amended by RA 10364 were filed against the arrested suspects.