2 foreigners arrested for human trafficking after raid on illegal POGO hub in Subic

Authorities arrested two alleged Chinese citizens for human trafficking after a raid on on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) hub in Subic Freeport Zone, Jun Veneracion reported Thursday on Saksi.

“Nag surveillance nga ng two weeks ang PNP- CIDG (Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) dahil sa impormasyon na ibinigay ng mga impormante [roon] na meron villa na maraming Chinese ang lumabas at pumasok. So, upon confirmation na may Chinese talaga, nag apply kami ng search warrant,” PNP-CIDG director Police Major General Leo Francisco.

(The PNP-CIDG conducted surveillance two weeks ago when we received information that a lot of Chinese individuals come in and out of a particular villa. So, upon confirmation that these were Chinese citizens, we applied for a search warrant.)

Authorities also rescued 18 Chinese citizens from the POGO hub.

They also recovered computers, cellphones and wallets.

The suspects and the rescued Chinese citizens are in the custody of the CIDG in Camp Crame.

The duo are facing charges of violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

Police continue to gather information in attempts to locate other illegal POGOs in the country but admit to facing difficulty with illegal POGOs forming into smaller groups to evade law enforcement.

“Kailangan natin ng mga mata ng ating komunidad,” Francisco said.

(We also need the eyes of our community.)

GMA Integrated News has reached out to the suspects for their side.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News