PNP chief firm on Pogo raid despite criticism

FOREIGNERS RELEASED Sixty-nine foreigners found working in an illegal gaming center in Manila were released after the raid. —Screengrab from the Regional Public Information office of NCRPO

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Sunday said he stood by his men, praising them for last week’s “successful” raid of a Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) hub in Manila.

He stressed his support a day after the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said it was “falsely associated” with the “flawed” operation following the release of 69 foreigners who could not be detained legally.

The operation in the 40-story Century Peak Tower on Adriatico Street in Ermita, Manila, last Tuesday was led by the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group under Maj. Gen. Ronnie Cariaga and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) under Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia.

READ: Flawed, PAOCC says of Manila Pogo hub raid

Investigation revealed the scam hub was operated by foreign nationals engaged in cryptocurrency and romance scams. Authorities confiscated mobile phones, desktop computers, laptops, and assorted SIM cards.

Not informed

The PAOCC, which was initially tagged in the operation in some news reports, clarified it was neither consulted nor informed about the “flawed” mission.

“We never release any foreign nationals caught in Pogos because all our operations are always properly coordinated with the DOJ-Iacat (Department of Justice Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking) and the Bureau of Immigration,” the agency said in a statement on Saturday.

The PAOCC also denied calling the raided hub as the “mother of all Pogos.” However, the NCRPO’s news release on Wednesday did not mention the PAOCC’s participation in the raid.

The PNP had to release the apprehended foreign nationals, which included Indonesians, Chinese, and Malaysians, after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) refused to take legal custody of them.

On Saturday, the BI said the PNP was “withholding access to the necessary information and reports” needed to process the 69 foreigners.

Charges being readied

It said the documentation should include “all available information related to the subjects’ identities and the affidavit of arrest, detailing the circumstances of apprehension.”

It also said that “foreign victims of human trafficking” are needed to be assessed by the DOJ-Iacat.

While forensics gathering of evidence is ongoing, Marbil said the PNP is set to file charges against all individuals involved, including the facility’s owner.

He added operations against Pogos will further intensify in the next two months in line with President Marcos’ directive in July to shut down Pogo operations by the end of the year, citing their involvement in criminal activities.

Marbil thanked the support of Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, who “acknowledged the PNP’s swift and decisive action as a vital step in safeguarding Manila’s communities from illegal activities linked to cybercrime, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation.”