73 Chinese face deportation over illegal Pogo in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO CITY — The 73 Chinese nationals, who were arrested during a raid on an illegal online gambling operation in Sta. Ana, Cagayan province, had no working visas and would be deported, the head of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Ceza) said on Thursday.

Raul Lambino, Ceza administrator and chief executive officer, said the Chinese violated the interactive gaming rules and regulations for Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) in the country.

Hotel raid

Police on Tuesday raided the hotel, where the online gaming was being operated, on the strength of a search warrant issued by a regional trial court in Aparri town.

Three Filipinos working at the hotel were also arrested while 103 desktop computers and laptops were seized.

Lambino said they were alerted on the illegal online activity due to the reported “extraordinary high usage of internet data” by a real estate firm operating at the hotel.

A team from the Ceza went to verify the report but hotel guards barred the group from entering, Lambino said. The group then asked the police to apply for a search warrant against the registered owner of the real estate company.

Lambino said the company had no gaming license issued by the Ceza.

Police Brig. Gen. Crizaldo Nieves, Cagayan Valley regional police director, said the realty firm owner remained at large while the arrested Filipino hotel staff and the 73 Chinese were placed under police custody while awaiting charges. —VILLAMOR VISAYA JR.