POGO raid: 83 workers freed, 17 foreigners held

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December 9, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Police have released 83 Filipino workers and detained 17 foreign nationals following a raid on an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Taguig City.

Working with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the Southern Police District, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Southern Metro Manila unit discovered the large-scale POGO operation on Dec. 1 while serving a warrant for the arrest of a Chinese national wanted for estafa.

Of the 17 foreigners, 12 are Chinese, four are Malaysians and one is a Vietnamese.

Authorities raided an office in Upper McKinley Hill where investigators found an illegal online gaming facility disguised as an IT and BPO firm.

The foreigners allegedly operated the website pin77.com.

Police said the company was not accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

The 83 Filipino workers told investigators that they were misled into accepting jobs in what they believed was a legitimate company.

They are expected to serve as witnesses against the foreign suspects.

Charges of illegal gambling under Presidential Decree 1602, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the SIM Registration Act, have been filed against the foreign nationals.