Latest news with #RepublicAct9208
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
Chinese woman among 14 suspects nabbed in Paranaque scam hub raid
A Chinese woman were among the 14 suspects who were arrested during a raid of an alleged scam hub in Paranaque City, police said Sunday. In a press release, a team composed of operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group's Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) and the Department of Justice–Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT) served a search warrant at the Bayport West Garden Residences, located in NAIA Road, Brgy. Tambo, Parañaque City on early Thursday morning. The operation targeted what was reported as an online task job hub and resulted in the arrest of 14 persons, including a Chinese woman and the rescue of a 17-year old female teenager. The suspects were allegedly engaged in scamming activities when they were caught. Authorities confiscated assorted information communication technology (ICT) devices, including 70 desktop computers, mobile phones, computer peripherals, a metal vault, dormitory pass IDs, and passports; and discovered cryptocurrency account numbers. The suspects are facing charges for violating Republic Act 9208 (Anti -Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by Republic Act 10364 (Expanded Human Trafficking Act of 2012) in relation to Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012); and Republic Act 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA). The rescued minor was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for appropriate intervention and disposition. Online Task Job Scam Police said the scheme typically operates through the online messaging application 'Telegram' where the scammers send links to their intended victims. Each suspect is assigned to 600 Telegram accounts to contact potential victims. Once the link is accessed, the victims are directed to a so-called 'task job,' which assigns simple online tasks such as liking the pages of hotel packages. After the tasks are completed, the victims are instructed to open a Binance account - cryptocurrency account. Upon successfully creating the account, the scammers then require the victims to deposit funds into it. The victims are subsequently directed to transfer the deposited funds into a Binance account allegedly managed by the arrested Chinese manager. The scammers will lure victims that the transferred money will generate profit or collect interest, promising continuous growth of the investment. Once the victims are convinced to give a certain amount the suspects steal the money. "I commend the CIDG Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) and DOJ-IACAT for their swift and responsive action that resulted in the arrests of the suspects, and the rescue of the minor victim. This underscores our unyielding fight against trafficking in persons, child abuse, and cybercrimes. With this, we significantly prevented future 'online task job scam' from happening. Maraming Salamat sa inyo.', Police Brigadier Gen. Christopher Abrahano said. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
NBI arrests 1 for sexual exploitation in Bulacan
Authorities have arrested an individual in Marilao, Bulacan for online sexual exploitation and rescued five minors, one of which was reportedly the suspect's niece, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Friday. In a statement, the NBI said that investigation revealed that alias 'Tisay' offered sexually explicit content involving minors and sending child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM) to foreigners. After being granted a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer data, authorities headed to the subject's address in Marilao on Wednesday, August 13. The NBI said the operation led to the arrest of the suspect and seizure of various gadgets. They also rescued five minors during the operation. The minors were turned over to the Marilao Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for appropriate intervention and aftercare services. Meanwhile, "Tisay" was presented for inquest for violations of the Republic Act 9208, as amended by the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022; the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act, and the Anti-Child Abuse Law. The NBI said the operation stemmed from a referral of the Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) regarding Philippine phone numbers that were involved in the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). The HSI said the referral was based on the arrest of a United States citizen for child exploitation. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
01-06-2025
- GMA Network
Another co-accused of Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong arrested
'Mariano', one of co-accused of Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong in a qualified trafficking in persons case, was arrested in Clark, Pampanga May 29, 2025. CIDG Authorities arrested in Pampanga another co-accused of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong in a qualified trafficking in persons case. The person was identified as "Mariano," one of 49 co-accused of Roque and Ong. Mariano was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Anti-Organized Crime Unit (CIDG AOCU) in Clark, Pampanga, the CIDG said in a press release issued Saturday. According to the CIDG, Mariano is one of the security guards on duty "when the alleged qualified trafficking in persons happened in Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga." "I urge the other 49 co-accused to surrender yourselves to the CIDG and authorities because the Tracker Teams are pursuing you 24/7 and will catch you anytime soon. Isa-isa na kayong natutunton (We are tracking you one by one)," CIDG Director Police Major General Nicolas Torre III said. The CIDG deployed tracker teams nationwide starting May 15 to serve arrest warrants against Roque, Ong, and several others. Roque and others are the subject of arrest warrants for qualified trafficking in persons in connection with the illegal activities in POGO hub Lucky South 99 in Pampanga. No bail was recommended. The arrest warrants were issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 118, Angeles City, Pampanga on May 15. "The Warrant of Arrest stemmed from the airtight complaint filed by CIDG Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) against the accused in connection with the implementation of Search Warrants for Violation of Republic Act 9208 (Anti- Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended) in alleged Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs - Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. in Grand Palazzo Royals, Fil-Am Friendship Hi-way, Brgy. Cutcut, Porac, Angeles City, Pampanga on June 7, 2024," the CIDG said. On May 22, one of the co-accused of Roque and Ong, a man identified as "Marlon", was arrested in an entrapment operation in in Barangay Tabun, Mabalacat City, Pampanga. Marlon was the operation officer of the security agency operating when the qualified trafficking in persons was happening in Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc, the CIDG said. Roque has denied the accusation and said he is not and has never been a legal counsel of any illegal POGO and was neither a counsel of Lucky South 99. He also said that he only accompanied Ong in a meeting previously as he thought she was a victim of estafa. The former presidential spokesperson is currently seeking asylum in the Netherlands. —KG, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Arrest warrant issued vs. Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong over alleged POGO-linked trafficking
The Regional Trial Court Branch 118 in Angeles, Pampanga, has issued arrest warrants for former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong, and 48 others in connection with alleged qualified human trafficking linked to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub Lucky South 99. The court issued the warrants, citing 11 separate counts of violations under Republic Act 9208 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. Lucky South 99, located in Porac, Pampanga, was raided in 2024. Authorities rescued at least 158 foreign nationals and uncovered alleged acts of torture, kidnapping, and sex trafficking, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). The company has denied all allegations. Roque and Ong were implicated during congressional hearings on the raid. Roque was accused of assisting in securing the facility's license to operate and was identified as the head of its legal department based on documents related to the firm's license reapplication. PAGCOR eventually denied the application. Ong, meanwhile, was listed as the firm's authorized representative. Roque denied the accusations, saying he merely accompanied Ong, whom he believed was a victim of estafa. He is currently in the Netherlands and has filed for asylum. In a Facebook post, Roque claimed the charges were politically motivated due to his loyalty to former President Rodrigo Duterte. 'I will seek all available legal remedies to secure my life and liberty, which are currently under threat,' he said.
