27-2-2025 (MANILA) Pasay City officials partnered with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) to dismantle what is believed to be a significant scam operation housed in a commercial building along Coral Way.
The operation, commencing at approximately 3 p.m., saw authorities conducting thorough searches across five floors of the premises. Law enforcement uncovered an extensive array of technological equipment—computers, mobile devices, and numerous SIM cards—allegedly employed in fraudulent activities.
Nearly 500 individuals were apprehended, predominantly Chinese and Vietnamese nationals, who reportedly denied any involvement in illicit operations. The raid was executed under the authority of a mission order issued by Pasay City’s local government.
“What we’ve encountered mirrors the typical POGO configurations we’ve previously dismantled,” explained PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz. “Foreign nationals constitute the majority of those involved in scamming activities, whilst Filipinos primarily serve in household or security capacities.”
According to officials, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) had previously ordered the closure of this operation. “They’ve demonstrated blatant disregard for our laws,” Cruz remarked. “Despite existing closure directives, they’ve continued full-scale operations with remarkable audacity.”
Pasay’s Business Permit and Licensing Office OIC Head, Attorney Patrick Legaspi, revealed that authorities had already shut down POGO operations on the sixth and eighth floors of the building last year. “They appear to have relocated within the premises whilst maintaining continuous operations, prompting our collaboration with PAOCC and CIDG to enforce closure due to their functioning without proper business permits,” he stated.
The DOJ Office of Cybercrime has launched an investigation after discovering text blasting equipment and SIM cards during the search. “What’s particularly alarming is the Filipino involvement, suggesting they’re not merely targeting foreigners but victimising our own citizens as well,” noted Inna Protacio Ladislao, who heads the office.
Investigators found ledgers containing names, contact numbers, and monetary amounts—with transactions reaching up to ₱5,000. Four individuals identified as alleged scam bosses were detained, and authorities seized luxury vehicles believed to belong to the operation’s leadership.
Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, who personally visited the site, reaffirmed her administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards POGO operations and scam hubs within city boundaries.
Authorities are now coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration to validate the immigration status of the hundreds of foreign nationals apprehended during the operation. The suspects have been transported to PAOCC headquarters in Pasay City for further processing.
