Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested 90 Chinese and two Malaysians during a raid on an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Bacoor, Cavite, officials reported Sunday.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel said the foreigners were nabbed on Friday in Mariche Apartelle in Barangay Mabolo 1 in Bacoor after local residents reported the blatant violation of anti-coronavirus measures in the area.
“The police operation was based on a report received by the CIDG that Chinese nationals were allegedly frequently seen loitering and gathering in front of the said apartelle in Bacoor without upper garments and facemasks, and does not observe social distancing,” said Coronel.
Coronel said he immediately sent a team in the area and verified the complaints of local residents.
But a group of foreigners immediately ran inside the apartelle after seeing the arriving policemen.
“When our men chased them inside, they discovered that physical distancing was not observed inside and several of them were not wearing face masks,” said Coronel.
“Our men also saw several of those arrested closely working in six units in a car garage with their chairs, tables, cellphones, and computers,” he added.
The CIDG then coordinated with the local police which resulted in the arrest of all of them.
During the verification, it was found out that those arrested were working on an illegal POGO in the area.
“They failed to provide pertinent records such as passports and working permits that could prove the legality of their online gaming operation,” said Coronel.
Seized were 53 laptops with chargers and mouse, 102 units of cellphones, a passport, a keyboard, and P5.3 million cash.
Cases for violation of Republic Act 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act) and Presidential Decree 1602 and RA 9287 (illegal number games), both in relation to RA 10175, are being readied for filing through inquest proceedings. (Aaron Recuenco)
