The Philippine authorities raided a commercial building in Makati City, which is suspected to house POGO operations in the country.
On Thursday evening, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), alongside the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Makati local government unit (LGU) raided the alleged POGO hub in Ayala, Makati City. However, upon their arrival, the suspects had already escaped.
The report by RH 27 Noche Cacas said authorities confirmed that one floor in the commercial building did house POGO operations. The Makati Business Permit Office is now validating whether its employees are licensed or have secured working permits. Additionally, they are verifying if other businesses in the building comply with the issued business permit.
Authorities also mentioned they are still investigating how the employees escaped before the raid happened. Despite this, PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said that at least they were able to close down the operation.
“Iche-check natin kung bakit nagkaroon ng ganitong takbuhan. But overall naman, tingin ko, okay naman ito. At least napasara natin yung isang malaking POGO operation,” he said.
During the raid, authorities found phones and pre-registered SIM cards. Moreover, authorities also discovered scripts containing instructions on how to run a scam hub operation, crypto-currency, and investments scam.
“Yung script, nakasulat ito sa English. Siyempre ang nakakabasa niyan yung mga Pilipino, empleyado na english speaking. Ang kuwento ng mga witnesses natin, mga Pilipino sila,” Cruz said.
Cruz highlighted how the workers had training rooms for Filipinos to learn about scamming.
On Monday, PAOCC Spokesperson Winston Casio said they are eyeing a complete POGO shutdown by the end of the year.
DEVELOPING STORY: Ilang palapag ng PBCom Tower sa Ayala Avenue sa Makati City na umano'y POGO hub, sinalakay ng PAOCC; mga otoridad walang nadatnan | RH 27 @cacas_noche, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/vREZmYcigz
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