MONEY LAUNDERING. Some of the 169 individuals arrested during a raid in a POGO hub in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Aug. 31, 2024. NBI-Central Visayas director Renan Oliva on Monday (Sept. 16, 2024) said they are also building a money laundering case against 16 foreign nationals and a Filipino. (File photo contributed by Alan Tangcawan)
CEBU CITY – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) would apply for a court warrant so they could examine the vaults and computers found inside the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub raided in a Lapu-Lapu City resort on Aug. 31, an official said on Monday.
“We will apply for the issuance of a warrant of disclosure of computer data and permission from the court to open the vaults,” NBI-Central Visayas director Renan Oliva said during a press conference.
Oliva cited the importance of the items seized during the operation as they are also building a possible money laundering case against individuals suspected of having a hand in operating POGO in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City, as instructed by NBI director Jaime Santiago.
Apart from the money laundering and qualified trafficking in persons cases, Oliva said the authorities would seek forfeiture of assets of the POGO hub.
Regional State Prosecutor Graeme June Elmido said 17 Chinese nationals and a Filipino are now facing human trafficking charges after being placed under inquest proceedings following the raid on Aug. 31.
As to the money laundering charges, Elmido said they are still in the middle of building the case, thus the need to open the vaults and data stored in the computers seized during the operation.
“This is a huge case,” Elmido said, adding he has already formed a team that would pursue the case.
The suspects are now in custody with the Public Attorney’s Office in Manila while they are facing administrative charges for staying in the Philippines without proper documentation from the Bureau of Immigration. (PNA)
