Foreign POGO hub operators now detained at Lapu-Lapu jail

CEBU, Philippines — The 16 foreign nationals accused of allegedly operating an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Lapu-Lapu City are now all detained in the city's jail.

Lapu-Lapu City assistant jail warden Senior Inspector Nero Manzanares, Jr. in an interview yesterday, confirmed that 13 men are already at the jail’s male dormitory, while three women have earlier already been moved to the women’s facility.

However, as of 1 p.m yesterday, the 13 male accused, who are all foreign nationals, were still temporarily staying at the quarantine area and are expected to be transferred to their respective cells together with the general population.

“Maybe this afternoon they will be transferred to their designated cells,” he said.

Manzanares said that all the accused arrived in Cebu from Manila around 11am on November 11, 2024. They were previously held at the detention center of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Detention Center in Pasay City.

Manzanares further denied any special treatment for all the 13 male accused, contending they were just placed first at the quarantine area, which is just within the jail facility as they are still undergoing quarantine and further medical check-ups.

He added that once the 13 accused are transferred to their designated cells, they can only bring their pillows and blankets.

He said that all the accused were the ones that provided the bunk beds and mattresses, at no expense of the government.

Jail Senior Inspector Clarisse Tubog, warden of Lapu-Lapu City Jail (female dormitory) also said that the three female accused–an Indonesian, Chinese and Myanmar nationals, after undergoing quarantine for five days after their arrival, have already been transferred to their designated cells.

“It’s a protocol gyud na nga before ni sila isulod sa selda, mo undergo gyud na sila og five days quarantine to check if they have COVID-19 and based on their health check up okay ra man sila,” said Tubog.

Another accused, who is a Filipino, was not included in the detention at the said male jail facility.

The 17 accused were charged for seven counts of anti trafficking in persons, which all of them have pleaded not guilty, during their arraignment.

NBI-Cebu District Office head Arnel Pura said that some of the accused through their lawyers already filed a petition for bail before the Court.

Pura, however, opted not to disclose yet as to who among the accused filed such a petition.

To recall, the Bureau of Immigration and the NBI operatives raided the Tourist Garden Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City at around 2:15 P.M. on August 31, 2024.

The operation was intended to rescue foreign nationals who were reportedly kept inside the facility to operate such POGO hub.

The rescue teams found 169 foreign nationals, including the 16 accused and one Filipino. –/ATO (FREEMAN)