TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine National Police denied claims of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities in Eastern Visayas following the arrest of 12 Chinese nationals for immigration violations on 15 October in this city.

Police Regional Office 8 Director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy said the arrested Chinese nationals were employees of an internet service provider, not a POGO.

He also denied rumors circulating on social media that Ocean Wave Communications (Philippines) Corp., which provides internet services in Palo and Tacloban City, is a front for POGO operations.

Capoy said no such activities have been detected in the region based on ongoing intelligence monitoring and validation.

The Bureau of Immigration said the Chinese nationals were caught operating a business during a joint operation conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police–Regional Office 8, and Philippine Army.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado initially issued a mission order for nine individuals, but 12 were found operating the company without proper visas and permits.

Capoy also addressed the presence of police at a checkpoint near the company’s office at the boundary of Tacloban City and Palo.

He said the checkpoint was part of regular operations and that the Tacloban City Police Office had initiated surveillance on the group after reports of suspicious activity.

He said immigration status verification is beyond the PNP’s jurisdiction and that officers could not have legally detained or arrested the foreign nationals without clear evidence of a crime, as doing so would violate due process and human rights protocols.