On Thursday evening, law enforcement agencies conducted a raid on a 21-floor office building located along Ayala Avenue in Makati City’s central business district. The operation targeted alleged unauthorized activities linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), following reports that several Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) were operating within the premises despite a government-imposed ban.
The raid was led by the Makati Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), in collaboration with the Makati Police, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), the Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC), and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). Authorities had received intelligence indicating that multiple companies were conducting POGO-related operations across different floors of the building.
PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz stated that intelligence reports identified the building as a hub for POGO operations, housing 21 companies with various corporate names and listed owners. The building is historically significant, being one of the initial sites for POGO establishments in the Philippines. Cruz noted that smaller POGO operations originated there before expanding to larger hubs, such as those associated with former Mayor Alice Guo and the facility in Porac, Pampanga.
Prior to the raid, intelligence suggested that approximately 600 foreign nationals were involved in alleged scam operations within the building. However, upon entry, authorities discovered abandoned workstations and office spaces, indicating a sudden evacuation. Cruz mentioned that the individuals likely became aware of the impending operation, leading to their swift departure. Reports from building personnel indicated that between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM, occupants were seen hurriedly exiting the premises. The raid commenced around 6:00 PM.
PNP-CIDG Director Police Major General Nicolas Torre III observed that the occupants’ abrupt departure suggested awareness of illicit activities. He noted that if the operations had been lawful, the individuals would have awaited the inspection, which was initially based on a BPLO permit and mission order.
During the operation, authorities seized numerous computers, cellphones, one-time password (OTP) generators, hard drives, and other electronic devices left behind. The DOJ-OOC’s initial inspection revealed materials indicative of investment scam operations, including various scripts in English. The presence of OTP generators suggested potential scamming activities involving online wallets and bank accounts. The English-language scripts also raised concerns about the involvement of Filipino employees in these illegal activities, marking a troubling development in scam operations.
Additionally, a Chinese national, claiming affiliation with the previously raided Lucky South99 POGO in Porac, Pampanga, surrendered to authorities during the raid. This individual is undergoing verification, profiling, and potential deportation processes by the Bureau of Immigration and the Chinese Embassy in Manila. The PAOCC indicated that the individual would also be investigated regarding their knowledge of POGO operations.
A representative from the building’s administration denied any knowledge of POGO or scamming activities within the premises, asserting that all contracts and documents were in order.
This raid aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on unauthorized POGO operations. Recently, a similar operation in Pasay City resulted in the arrest of 401 foreign nationals linked to alleged POGO scam activities. These coordinated actions underscore the authorities’ commitment to enforcing the POGO ban and addressing associated illicit activities.
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