By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Four Chinese nationals were arrested in Muntinlupa City during an intelligence-driven operation targeting suspected illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO)-related activities, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Tuesday.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified those arrested as Qiao Zhong, 30, an undocumented foreign national; Tang Ke, 31, an overstaying foreign national without a proper visa; Liu Peng, 35, also an overstaying foreign national; and Zhang Caiyu, 42, an overstaying foreign national who was subject to an existing blacklist order and had been identified as a former POGO worker.
The four were allegedly caught engaging in cyber fraud during the Sept. 4 operation conducted by the BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in the Alabang area of Muntinlupa.
FSU Chief Rendel Sy said the operation followed intelligence monitoring on reports of continuing POGO-related activities along Montillano Street in Alabang.
Based on the information gathered, Viado issued Mission Order No. 2026-321 on Sept. 3 directing the FSU to verify the reported activities and take appropriate action.
Viado said the bureau would continue conducting intelligence-led operations against foreign nationals suspected of violating Philippine immigration and other laws.
He also urged the public to report information concerning foreign nationals allegedly involved in illegal activities in the country.
The BI said the operation forms part of the government’s continuing enforcement efforts against illegal POGO operations and related activities.
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