MANILA — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Monday said it has formed a specialized tracking team to intensify efforts against offshore gaming operators, who continue their covert operations in the country more than a month after the activity was officially banned. 

PAOCC asks BI to halt connecting flights when deporting POGO workers

CIDG-National Capital Region chief, Police Col. Marlon Quimno, said there are still "guerrilla operations" or small-scale POGO operations in Metro Manila, with about 15 to 20 employees involved, a significant reduction from the hundreds previously engaged in these operations.

“Before, they are 300, 400, 500,” he said. “Sa ngayon, ang typical is guerilla operations, ‘yong sa isang room kinse lang sila, bente lang sila so madali silang maka-operate.” 

(Before, there were 300, 400, 500. Now, the typical setup is guerrilla operations, where there are only 15 or 20 people in one room, making it easier for them to operate.)

Banned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last year, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are suspected of being exploited by organized crime groups for activities such as human trafficking, money laundering, online fraud, kidnappings, and even murder.

Despite the ban, authorities last week raided a suspected Chinese-run POGO in an office building in the Bay Area, Parañaque City, resulting in the arrest of more than 450 people.

Quimno said at least 18 Chinese nationals and two Filipinos have been criminally charged for violating trafficking laws over the weekend.

"This marks the first time a Filipino has been criminally charged in connection with human trafficking," Quimno noted. 

Quimno said arrested individuals, along with others implicated in the operation, are now in the custody of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). 

Philippine police arrest over 450 in 'Chinese-run' scam center raid

“All the persons involved in this operation, like for example those foreigners that has not been arrested, actually they are more than 100, they were now subject for verification with the Bureau of Immigration pertaining to their alien status,” Quimno said. 

“And also the Filipinos remaining, which is also not being included in the arrest are also subject for case build-up, we will ask the court to issue a warrant to examine computer data on the evidence that we have seized and if proven that they are also engaged in that online gaming, those Filipinos and other foreigners will be implicated for the regular filing of the case,” he added. 

While PAOOC earlier said that most of the raided POGOs in Metro Manila were located in the southern part of the capital region, namely in Makati, Pasay and Parañaque, Quimno clarified that the CIDG looks at all cities in the capital region. 

“May mga kasunod pa ‘to, hopefully bigger para mabawasan ‘yong problema natin sa POGO at baka matapos din natin,” he said. 

“Our focus is the whole Metro Manila, hindi lang ‘yong sa southern. Dahil doon sa information natin, ang POGO, they are not just sitting on one citi, but all over Metro Manila,” he continued. 

(There are more to follow, hopefully bigger, so we can reduce our problems with POGO and perhaps even put an end to it. Our focus is all of Metro Manila, not just the south. Based on the information we have, POGOs are not just operating in one city, but all over Metro Manila.)

RELATED VIDEO