MOALBOAL, CEBU — The Moalboal Police Station is preparing formal charges of illegal overstaying against 38 undocumented Chinese nationals allegedly involved in illegal Philippine Offshore Gambling Operations (POGO) in the town.
Police Captain Brigido Paca, chief of the Moalboal Police Station, confirmed that they would file cases against the undocumented foreigners for violating the Alien Registration Act of 1950, or Republic Act 562.
This development followed a raid executed under a search warrant addressed to one of the arrested Chinese nationals, Zhai Shi Ying, along with 37 others, who were staying at a small resort in Brgy. Saavedra.
During the search, authorities seized dozens of gadgets from the foreign nationals, including 34 computer sets, four laptops, and 226 smartphones.
Paca stated that the confiscated devices would undergo forensic examination to determine whether they were used for illegal activities, particularly offshore online gambling.
On October 9, Moalboal police raided the resort days after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen regarding an unusually high-speed internet request from the small establishment.
Upon inspection, police found the 38 Chinese nationals, who failed to present any identification documents, including passports, to prove their identity.