Clark Freeport — Authorities have arrested 27 Chinese nationals and rescued eight Filipinos in a series of raids on suspected scam hubs in Clark Freeport and Angeles City, officials said Tuesday.

The operations, conducted by a joint force from the Bureau of Immigration, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Clark Development Corporation, targeted villas within the Freeport where 17 Chinese nationals were arrested.

Eight Filipinos working at the hubs were rescued and said they were forced to work more than eight hours a day.

In a separate raid nearby, three more Chinese nationals were arrested in a residential property on suspicion of being involved in online fraud. Authorities seized laptops and mobile phones for digital forensic examination.

Retired Maj. Gen. Lina Sarmiento, vice president for security for the Clark Development Corporation, said the corporation has banned any activities related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, or POGOs, since 2023.

“This is very important because we are really cleaning up our backyard here,” Sarmiento said.

The arrested Chinese nationals were taken to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.