PNP nabs Japanese, Chinese POGO-linked suspects in Pampanga

Three Japanese nationals and one Chinese national allegedly involved in online gaming and POGO-related scam operations were arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga, the Philippine National Police reported Monday.

PNP Chief P/Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the suspects were linked to logistics, personnel management and online gaming fraud operations connected to Pampanga-based POGO scams.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission following an intelligence report from the Embassy of Japan on 18 February 2026.

Authorities said local monitoring units identified individuals allegedly connected to transnational scam networks. The suspects — two women aged 28 and 31, and two men aged 42 and 32 — were arrested near their residence at Friendship Plaza while attempting to leave the area.

Law enforcement operatives confirmed their identities with embassy representatives before effecting the arrest for violations of immigration laws, including overstaying, being undocumented and harboring irregularities.

While the suspects denied involvement in kidnapping or extortion, Nartatez said intelligence reports indicate the group operated sophisticated scam hubs coordinating personnel and activities targeting victims abroad.

“This success demonstrates the professionalism and vigilance of our personnel in keeping criminal operations at bay. Patuloy ang PNP sa pagtugon sa mga sindikatong banyaga na nambibiktima sa ating bansa,” Nartatez emphasized.

The arrested individuals were processed and transferred to the Bureau of Immigration Warden Facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City pending inquest proceedings.

Nartatez said the operation aligns with the PNP’s Focused Agenda, particularly its priority on Enhanced Managing Police Operations, which emphasizes intelligence-driven coordination with partner agencies to neutralize transnational criminal threats.

“We will not tolerate foreign nationals exploiting our country for criminal profit. Kasama ang ating mga katuwang na ahensya, ipagpapatuloy natin ang pagbuwag sa mga sindikatong nagtatangkang manloko sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.