Court inspects “POGO hub”

CEBU, Philippines — The Regional Trial Court (RTC) conducted an ocular inspection on the alleged Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday.

The inspection was witnessed by the lawyers of the 17 accused, prosecutors, and the operatives of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Cebu District Office. RTC Branch 73 Judge Ronald Tolentino said the inspection was part of the court proceedings relative to the qualified trafficking charges against the alleged POGO hub operators at Tourist Garden Hotel in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City.

The ocular inspection, which lasted about two hours, was off limits to the media. Only the parties to the case were allowed inside the building.

Earlier, the court granted the motion of Zhao Shou Qi and his son Zhao Long to conduct an ocular inspection in the area. In granting the motion, the court said that this is to afford all the parties the opportunity to inspect the area.

The property is leased by the Zhaos from a Cebuano businessman. Based on the lease agreement recovered by the NBI operatives during the raid, the Zhaos has leased the property for a period of 30 years.

The hotel was already ordered closed by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan on September 1, 2024 after it was found operating a POGO hub. During the raid on August 31, 2024, 169 foreign nationals working in the hub were rescued, including the 17 accused. — (FREEMAN)