LAOAG CITY - Armed with a search warrant, combined forces of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Ilocos Norte, Anti-Cybercrime Group, Bureau of Immigration office, and Justice department raided one of Fort Ilocandia Resort's buildings in Laoag City on Friday.

Earlier this week, the resort's gaming facility was shut down due to lack of permits and alleged illegal or unlicensed gaming operations.

• READ: After Fontana, Fort Ilocandia casino shut down

The building, which they called the Hotel B building, was believed to be the place where some Chinese, who were allegedly engaged in illegal gaming operations in the resort, stayed.

The search team wasn't able to get inside easily due to alleged irregularities about the operation raised by the resort's legal officer Atty. Jason Perera.

According to Perera, before the search warrant was served, there were already police officers roaming inside the building which, he said, was improper and out of the standard operating procedure.

"Nang makarating kami, they were in the hallway, nasa exit sa second floor, maraming nakabukas na pintuan. I think the team leader who accompanied us could attest na maraming pintuan na nakabukas, although originally, ang instruction ay naka-lock lahat, so only God knows kung ano nangyari," Perera said.

(When we got there, they were in the hallway, near the exit of the second floor. There were many open doors. I think the team leader who accompanied us could attest that there were many open doors, although what was originally instructed was that they should be locked.)

After everything was clearly discussed and explained, the operation continued. The search was even witnessed by some barangay officials.

Authorities searched more than 150 rooms of the 2-storey building.

Local Area Network or LAN cables and flash drives were discovered in some rooms on the first floor of the building.

Another room with 8 surveillance cameras and long tables with internet cables installed underneath were also found.

The raiding team also found access devices, bank cards, flash drives, cellphones, photos and identification cards allegedly owned by Chinese suspected to be used in cybercrime or fraudulent activities.

No one was inside the building but some personal belongings and pieces of garbage scattered inside, which seemed to look still fresh, caught the attention of the authorities.

Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Director Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. belied the resort lawyer's claims, saying they followed the proper procedures in the search.

He also added that the pieces of evidence recovered and the search warrant prepared and served support the allegations about the resort's illegal operation.

"We have a strong case, especially since a search warrant was granted by the concerned court. The one who gave the search warrant was Judge Philip Salvador. So, hini-hearing naman 'yan, kapag nag-apply tayo ng search warrant, it undergoes a tedious hearing, na-isyuhantayo ng search warrant and therefore there is a big possibility and probability that they are doing so," Nartatez said.

(Our request for the issuance of a warrant underwent a hearing. The grant of the warrant indicates that there is a big possibility and probability that they were involved in illegal acts.)

Perera claimed after the search operation that the pieces of evidence confiscated were planted and nothing illegal was found inside the building.

“I was surprised that there were several officers inside already. So, I tried to inquire, nandu'n na sila, dumaan sa likod dahil may backdoor (They went through the backdoor). So, I could surmise, that the bag and laptop and everything existed nowhere,” he said.

Fort Ilocandia resort is a partner establishment of Fontana Casino, both owned by business tycoon Jack Lam, who had been ordered arrested due to alleged bribery and illegal online gambling operations.

• READ: Duterte orders Jack Lam's arrest: Dela Rosa