Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has ordered the immediate closure of the Tourist Garden Hotel in Barangay Agus, along with several businesses operating on its premises, following a raid uncovering illegal POGO activities.
The cease and desist order was issued against the hotel and its tenants, including Cyber Internet House Corp. and Royal 1 Suwu KTV Corp., after a joint operation by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, NBI, Bureau of Immigration, and Department of Social Welfare and Development on August 31.
Authorities discovered that the hotel was being used for illegal POGO operations and online scams, and rescued 169 foreigners from the site.
Chan noted that the hotel operated without a valid work permit and had been exploited for unlawful purposes despite its previous legal status.
He also mentioned that the city has not approved any POGO operations and called for advanced detection equipment and support from the Department of Justice for future investigations.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 4, 2024
