Para±aque City: Charges of qualified human trafficking were filed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) against 20 foreign nationals apprehended in the February 20 raid of a scam hub in Para±aque City. PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz reported that the raid targeted a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub located at the ATI building, directly opposite the Para±aque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), which engaged in investment and love scams involving foreign nationals.

According to Philippines News Agency, a total of 435 POGO workers, including 148 foreign nationals, were arrested at the Chinese-operated facility. Gilbert Cruz stated in an interview, "We conducted the inquest for the foreign nationals operating the POGO hub here at PITX and have filed charges against 20 of them." He further emphasized the nature of the charges as "qualified trafficking," noting the facilitation of long-term employment of individuals at the POGO hub.

Cruz highlighted additional violations by the scam hub, such as the absence of necessary operational permits. Among the complainants were three Vietnamese women, who were allegedly used as models to attract investors. "These Vietnamese women were the models they used to attract investors and then after you fall in love, that's it, they will invite you to invest in cryptocurrency," Cruz explained.

PAOCC Director and spokesperson Winston Casio mentioned the possibility of filing criminal charges against the building owner and considering the forfeiture of the entire building, which was reportedly used by the Dan Ying Gaming Corp. for two years. Casio indicated that the Dan Ying Gaming Corp. is purportedly owned by a "well-known" Filipino-Chinese businessman.