CALAMBA, Laguna – Three Chinese nationals were arrested, while 23 Filipinos were rescued by the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in a suspected POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) hub in Calamba, Laguna. 

However, the company’s manager and the arrested Chinese nationals argued with authorities, insisting that they were not a POGO but a telecommunications installation company. 

“This is not a POGO, this is telecommunications. We are here for the signal provider,” the manager said. 

When asked why they had locked the door, one of the arrested Chinese, Luo Wengguang, replied: “Afraid because I heard—dong dong dong!”

Some employees also denied that they were operating a POGO, claiming that they were engaged in fiber optics installation, cable laying, and tower installation.

“I’ve been here for four years. We are a telecom company, we have projects, we are not a POGO.”

However, PAOCC Chief Executive Director Usec. Gilbert Cruz said that the three Chinese nationals were among the foreigners under surveillance for lacking proper documentation. 

He added that PAOCC continues to arrest foreign nationals whose visas have not yet been downgraded despite the Bureau of Immigration’s October 31, 2024, deadline.

“Iche-check natin whether may POGO-related commonalities. 'Yan ang ginagawa natin, once na makita ang kaduda duda na foreigners, 'pag walang dokumento like their working visa... ang tinitingnan natin weather ito ay remnants mg mga pogo na hinuli natin before,” said Cruz.

Meanwhile, CIDG Director PMaj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed that the three arrested Chinese nationals will face charges for violating immigration laws as they were working without the required 9G visa.

“Kakasuhan sila ng violation ng immigration laws natin nagtatrabaho sila ng walang appropriate visa. Nakita natin nang vinerify sa barangay ang permits ng business establishments na ito, wala silang napakita,” said Torre.

Authorities will also apply for a new warrant to recover and conduct forensic examination on the computers seized from the office—to determine the actual operations being carried out by the arrested Chinese nationals.