Silang, Cavite – Despite the nationwide closure of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), authorities have arrested 29 foreigners suspected of running an illegal POGO from a resort in Silang, Cavite.

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel J Gatdula, CIDG Cavite chief, a confidential informant reported unusual activities involving Chinese nationals at the resort.

“There was a confidential informant who came to our office, saying something strange was happening there at the resort, with Chinese dropping by,” Gatdula said.

Most of those arrested were Chinese nationals, with six individuals from Myanmar. The alleged head of the operation, a Chinese national, has denied the accusations.

The POGO workers reportedly arrived at the resort in December last year, using laptops instead of desktop computers and each equipped with mobile WiFi rather than internet routers. Authorities seized devices believed to be used for scamming activities.

PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz commented on the operation, stating, “These are the ones hiding in resorts, in apartments […] You can see cryptocurrency scam transactions right at the front.” He added, “They shouldn’t be here. If they have passports, they should only be tourist passports.”

The Bureau of Immigration is now investigating the criminal records of the detained foreigners in their respective countries.