Illegal POGO hub in Davao City dismantled, 8 aliens arrested

Eight foreigners were arrested as an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub was dismantled in Davao City.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Southern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI SEMRO) XI launched a raid on the said POGO hub in the area as per the order of NBI Director Jaime Santiago.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said on 12 August 2025 that his men pounced on the illegal hub as they pursue and dismantle all remaining POGOs in the country and the criminal networks exploiting these conduits.

SEMRO XI Regional Director Atty. Arcelito C. Albao successfully shut down an illegal POGO hub operating from a residential property in Davao City.

The operation was initiated after a homeowner’s complaint regarding suspicious activities inside a residential property on Gardenia Street, Montclair Highlands Subdivision, Buhangin, Davao City.

After surveillance and verification, agents confirmed the presence of POGO operations in the said property.

During the raid, eight foreign nationals, all Chinese citizens, were arrested. Seized from the site were personal computers and multiple mobile phones, all utilized to facilitate the prohibited gaming operations.

The NBI SEMRO XI noted an emerging pattern in illegal POGO activities: operators have begun splitting into smaller groups and moving into residential areas to avoid detection following the nationwide crackdown.

This strategic shift underscores the need for constant community vigilance and rapid law enforcement response.

The arrested individuals are now in NBI custody and will be charged under the applicable provisions of Philippine law. Seized devices will undergo forensic examination to trace digital evidence and uncover the broader network and financial trail of the operation.

NBI SEMRO XI urges the public to report suspicious activities in their communities to help stop illegal offshore gaming operations and the crimes that often accompany them, including money laundering, cybercrime, and human trafficking.

Santiago said the NBI’s sustained campaign targets offshore gaming schemes that undermine the nation’s security, economy, and moral fabric; and the Bureau is committed to acting swiftly on community intelligence and tracking evolving criminal tactics, disallowing illegal gaming operations from rebranding, resizing, or relocating as a way to circumvent the law.

He commended the NBI-CEVRO agents for their relentless efforts in solving this complex case.

Their investigation has been crucial in the Office of the Ombudsman’s resolution, which led to the indictment of the suspects.