By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan and Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Authorities arrested six South Korean nationals and 15 Filipinos allegedly operating a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Pasay City on Monday.
In a report from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Bureau of Immigration (BI) and PAOCC implemented a mission order, based on intelligence information they received stating the group is “engaged in online gaming that targets Korean nationals.”
The apprehended foreigners, most of whom held permanent resident visas, were caught in the act of operating the suspected gambling hub in the basement of Heritage Hotel in Pasay City at about 5:20 p.m. Monday.
The raiding team discovered multiple computer stations allegedly used for illegal offshore gaming operations.
Among those arrested was Ha Jungjo, who has an active derogatory record with the BI for overstaying or unexplained prolonged presence in the country.
“Apart from said gaming ops, they are also allegedly involved in game fixing and online scamming,” the PAOCC said.
The PAOCC said a case investigation for the filing of complaints against the suspects is set for Tuesday.
The suspects are now at the PAOCC’s custodial facility for inquest and awaiting complaints for violating the Securities Regulation Code, Illegal Gambling in relation to Republic Act 10175, Money Laundering, and the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, among others.
Meanwhile, the BI said the arrested South Koreans are facing deportation and blacklisting from the country.
In a statement, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado noted that while the physical custody of the arrested individuals has been turned over to the PAOCC, legal custody remains with the BI as deportation proceedings commence.
“We will ensure that due process is followed while working closely with our law enforcement partners to rid our country of undesirable aliens engaged in illicit activities,” he added.
South Korean authorities confirmed that monetary transactions in Korean currency and linked bank accounts suggest active participation in illegal gambling activities. (PNA)
