Over 50 individuals rescued from the “largest” Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) bust in Zamboanga Sibugay were taken to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Pasay City.

In Friday joint operations led by the NBI – Organized and Transnational Crimes Division, over 200 foreigners, mostly Chinese nationals, were either seized or rescued by authorities, reported RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort.

According to NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag, the bureau will investigate the possible involvement of several government officials in the cyber-scam hub’s operations.

In addition, the bureau will be investigating whether the illegal online gaming hub is also behind troll farm operations.

Operatives recovered nearly 4,000 cellphones, aside from computers, laptops, and other technical devices that are believed to have been used to carry out internet scams.

An initial investigation found that a number of the foreign nationals were forced to work without pay.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a total POGO ban during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, 2024, after a surge in reports of human trafficking, torture, and other illicit activities linked to these online gambling companies.

First time violators will face imprisonment of six to eight years, on top of a fine between ₱300,000 and ₱15 million. For the second offense, violators will be sentenced to up to 10 years, in addition to a fine of as much as ₱30 million. On the third offense, violators will be sentenced to up to 12 years in prison as well as a fine of as much as ₱50 million.

“If the offender is a public official or employee, the maximum penalty under the applicable category will be imposed. If the guilty party is/are a foreigner/s, they will be deported immediately after serving their sentence and permanently banned from re-entering the Philippines,” said the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).