COPS RAID POGO HUB INSIDE CAVITE RESORT, ARREST 29 FOREIGNERS

JOINT operatives on Wednesday raided a facility-cum-“scam farm” being operated by a group of Chinese nationals and arrested 29 foreigners in Silang, Cavite.

Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) director Brig. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III said raided was an alleged Philippine Offshore and Gaming Operators (POGO) hub at the Elijosh Resort  in Bgy. Lalaan 2 in Silang town.

Arrested during the operatio n at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday were 23 Chinese and six Myanmar nationals.

They were identified as Chinese nationals Lin Wu, 34,; Jinxing Chao, 28;  Zhou Mei Gui, 27; Liang Guodong, 26; Linyou Yu, 36;  Huang Guang Hua, 36; Zhuzheng Yan, 35; Lin Tao, 33; Lin Tong, 24; Zhang Yu, 35; Huan Kang, 24; Gao Fei, 24; Liang Qu Ning, 38; Tian Mao Sheng, 24; Jiang Yuping, 22; Jiong Yubin, 23; Ling Jie, 35; Pan Cheng, 23; Li Shui Ming, 39; Zoh Sibing, 35; Du Wang Zhu, 34; Yao Le, 40; and Xu Xun Ming, 55.

Also taken into custody were Myanmar nationals Ei Ei Krhin Htwe, 23; Chaw Sy, 26; Min Htet Paing, 27; Thet Thet Aung, 24; Khin Thin Lah, 25; and Kyu Kyu, 25;

The raid was conducted by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIIDG)  Regional Field Unit 4-A, the Cavite Police Provincial Office, the Bureau of Immigration, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission  (PAOCC) and the Silang local government unit.

According to Torre, they launched the operation following a complaint from the resort owner regarding suspected POGO operations being conducted by their lessee in November last year. The lessee was reportedly endorsed by a certain “Olivia Miguel.”

However, the owner eventually discovered that there were around 50 to 60 foreign nationals, all believed to be Chinese and Korean nationals entering the resort regularly carrying illegal gambling paraphernalia as well as desktop and laptop computers.

“We validated the information with the help of the resort owner and discovered that indeed, there were ongoing POGO operations in the area,” the PNP-CIDG director said.

The official said the particular target of the operation was one named Chen Xiaboang.

The 29  foreigners were placed under the legal custody of the PAOCC pending their deportation.