At least 38 undocumented Chinese nationals were detained following a raid on a small resort in Moalboal, Cebu, a town in Central Philippines. The resort, known for its diving spots, was suspected of being used as a hub for illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). ??

According to local reports, the police raid occurred on October 9 during a routine inspection by local authorities, including the Moalboal Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Local Government Unit.  

Suspicion triggered by unusual Internet request  

The investigation was initiated after a tip-off from a concerned citizen, intrigued by the group’s unusual request for high-speed internet in a small, isolated resort. Authorities later revealed that high-speed internet is a common requirement for POGO operations, raising suspicions about the true activities at the resort. A subsequent raid uncovered 34 computer sets, four laptops, and over 200 mobile phones, all potentially used for illegal online gaming.  

In a social media post, the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO 7) said the foreigners exclusively rented the place since September 28, under highly suspicious circumstances. “PRO 7’s strong stance against POGO, POGO-like activities, and all illegal activities will continue and will remain unwavering,” Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin said.  

Language barriers and lack of documentation??

The arrested individuals were unable to communicate in English, complicating the investigation. None of the detained foreigners could produce proper identification documents, such as passports. Local police confirmed that the group had rented the entire resort since late September. Due to the undocumented status of the individuals, the police are coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to further investigate potential violations.  

Connection to previous POGO raids  

The raid in Moalboal follows a similar operation in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, where nearly 200 individuals were detained for involvement in illegal POGO activities. Local authorities are exploring the possibility that the individuals in Moalboal may have relocated from other POGO hubs recently dismantled. The arrested Chinese nationals are believed to have moved to Moalboal to evade detection, with plans to continue their activities.??

Government crackdown on POGO operations  

This latest raid forms part of a broader national crackdown on illegal POGO hubs. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has?banned POGO operations across the country, with local authorities in tourist-heavy areas like Moalboal increasing surveillance. Moalboal’s mayor, Inocentes Cabaron, has issued directives to local village captains, urging them to monitor suspicious activities closely to prevent future incidents.??

The detained Chinese nationals remain in custody, with further investigations pending to determine their involvement in illegal online gaming activities. Authorities are also collaborating with the Chinese consulate to resolve the matter.?

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