Suspected Pogo hub in Lapu-Lapu City raided

CEBU CITY – Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) on Saturday raided a hotel in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City believed to be a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (Pogo) hub.

According to NBI-7 Director Rennan Augusto Oliva, they acted upon reports that the hotel has become a POGO hub.

“These (reports) are being validated,” he told reporters.

Aside from the NBI, also present during the operation were representatives from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and the Bureau of Immigration.”

Authorities have been monitoring suspected Pogo sites following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to ban it.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Central Visayas police director Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, earlier called on the public to help them monitor Pogo sites so authorities can take action immediately.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan, who last month said they have not monitored Pogos in the city, has yet to issue a statement on the NBI operation while waiting for the complete report from authorities.