151 foreign nationals arrested in QC illegal POGO

Authorities caught 150 foreign nationals working in an alleged illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) firm in Quezon City, Tuesday night. 

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported its Regional Special Operations Group, the Kamuning station of the Quezon City Police District, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group raided the POGO firm located at Scout Lascano Street in Barangay Laging Handa at 8:30 p.m.

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The nationalities of the arrested POGO workers are yet to be determined, NCRPO said. 

A confidential informant tipped the police about an unregistered POGO operation in the said area, which led to the raid. The incident also prompted law enforcers to monitor and conduct surveillance of the area strictly.

Authorities seized 2,012 cellphones, 149 computer monitors, 90 computer mouse, 72 keyboards for computer, 34 CPUs, 19 laptops, 2 printers, electric tablet, 20 extension wires, Wi-Fi, and phone from the POGO. They also recovered 3 cable wires, 2 passports, assorted IDs, 15 uninterrupted power supply union, 116 foreign currency bills, and 10 router modems.

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Barangay officials also said that the POGO firm has no permit to operate. Investigators are now validating whether the establishment was registered with the Business Permit and Licensing Department (BPLD) in Quezon City.

The 151 arrested foreign nationals are now under the custody of Regional Special Operations Group in Camp Bicutan, Taguig City for filing of appropriate complaints, NCRPO said.

On May 15, 265 Chinese nationals were arrested in an illegal POGO at a hotel in Las Piñas City. 

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Police seized 110 laptop computers, 96 desktop computers, 467 cellular phones, and P6.5 million in cash from the POGO. Several foreign currency bills and gadgets were also recovered from the suspects.


P2-M worth of shabu seized in Iloilo

An estimated P2 million worth of shabu was confiscated during a buy-bust operation in a subdivision in the town of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo Wednesday afternoon.

The subject of the operation was 43-year-old alias Herbert. The area operatives also arrested three more male friends of the subject.

The arrestees vehemently denied the accusation. They said the alleged illegal drugs were not shabu but alum (tawas).

They said they were only stranded in the area and were on their way to Capiz province when the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 6 operatives arrived.

Eight sachets of suspected shabu were seized from the suspects, including a buy-bust item.