Recently in the province of Pampanga, elements of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the Special Action Force (SAF) and the local police raided a Philippine Overseas Gaming Operator (POGO) resulting in the rescue of almost two hundred local and foreign workers, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
Authorities rescued 187 foreign and Filipino workers in a raid at a Philippine Overseas Gaming Operator (POGO) center in Pampanga province on Tuesday night.
In a report on Wednesday, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said its members together with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Special Action Force and the local police carried out a search warrant operation against the Lucky South 99 compound along Friendship Highway in Angeles City.
The Malolos City Regional Trial Court Branch 14 issued the search warrant against the POGO over reports of human trafficking, torture and scam activities taking place within the establishment.
“Yung reports na nakuha sa atin, initial report for rescue was may mga tinotorture dito. Pinapalo ng mga baseball bat at pinagtatadiyakan dito. Meron tayong isang video na diumano babae na pinagsasayaw dito at pinagpapasahan ng mga bosses (The reports that we received, the initial report for rescue there are persons who are being tortured here. They are struck with a baseball bat and are being kicked. We also have a video allegedly showing a woman dancing and being abused by the bosses),” PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio said in a television interview.
Some 158 foreigners, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysians, Myanmar and Korean workers were rescued, together with 29 Filipinos.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that more POGOs around the nation should be investigated for potential criminal activities such as torture, prostitution, scamming and hacking? Do you believe it is high time for a nationwide ban on POGOs?
Recently in the City of Parañaque, elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)’s National Capital Region field unit raided a house in Multinational Village and arrested ten Chinese nationals who allegedly kidnapped seven Filipinos, according to a Philippine Star news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine Star report. Some parts in boldface…
Ten Chinese nationals who allegedly kidnapped seven Filipinos were arrested in Parañaque on Thursday.
The suspects, seven men and three women, were apprehended by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)’s National Capital Region field unit during a raid on a house in Multinational Village, Barangay Moonwalk at around 4:50 a.m.
Col. Jean Fajardo, the chief information officer of the Philippine National Police, said the rescue operation was based on information from one of the victims, a house helper, who alleged that they were held against their will by the suspects for three days.
Acting on the information, CIDG operatives and security guards of the village went into the house and arrested the suspects. Seven Filipinos were rescued in the operation.
Fajardo said the victims were being forced by the foreigners to engage in activities such as love scams and cryptocurrency fraud.
Police seized two firearms and assorted bullets, 17 cell phones, five desktop computers, three laptop computers, passports and identification cards.
The suspects are facing criminal charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, qualified trafficking in persons, illegal gambling, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and violation of Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be a lot of Chinese nationals living in other villages around the city who could be secretly committing crimes of kidnapping, human trafficking and the like? Are there any groups of Chinese nationals who could be living in households in your local community?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
A gang of kidnappers whose members were described as transgendered people got busted by the personnel of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) as a result of a joint operation with the Anti-Kidnapping Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and some military personnel, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news report. The gang referred to as Warla had victimized more than ten people (including one victim in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City according to a Philippine Star news report) and they collected millions of Pesos worth of ransom money for the purpose of sex reassignment surgery (AKA sex change) for themselves.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…
Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) dismantled a kidnapping syndicate whose members are transgenders.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday, CIDG director Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee identified the suspects as Francis Villa, Lawrenza Lingo, Johnas Belonio, Bernard Torres and Mark Joseph Pelonio, all members of the “Warla” kidnapping group.
They were nabbed in a joint operation with the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group, National Capital Region Police Office and military troops on Oct. 1.
Lee said the modus of the group is to lure victims from dating apps and sites to meet up with their good-looking members.
Once abducted, the victims are brought to their safehouse and the suspects demand money from them in exchange for their release.
After receiving the ransom, the suspects drop off the victims in random places around Metro Manila.
The group is said to be operating in the southern part of Metro Manila, specifically in Parañaque, Pasay, Taguig, and Makati and has victimized around 14 persons.
They were able to collect total ransom money amounting to PHP4.2 million which will be used for their sex reassignment surgery or “sex change”.
Lee said the group was made known to the police after Taiwanese victim Michael Lee was rescued on Sept. 7 in Parañaque City, after he was abducted on Sept. 3.
The kidnapping group demanded a sum of money from the victim’s friends in exchange for his freedom. The victim’s friends were able to send money to five different digital wallets reaching a total of PHP308,000.
“For the longest time that I have been in anti-kidnapping operations, this is the first time we have encountered this group of transgenders who have already victimized 14 people. We are still backtracking to find out who they are and fortunately, Michael Lee complained and sought the help of the Taiwan police so that was the breakthrough in this case,” Lee said in Filipino.
Lee said the kidnapping group is led by a certain Mikey Ebol, a.k.a Mike Collado Ebol, who is now hiding.
After trailing transactions of the group, the police located four other suspects who had already surrendered — Dewie Shaine Collado Garcia, Charlemagne Olunan Vargas and Christian Paredes.
In their statements, they said the SIM (subscriber identity module) cards they owned were bought by Ebol.
During the investigation, Lee said the group was formed in 2018.
Col. Hansel Marantan, CIDG National Capital Region field unit director, said the name of the group was coined from the gay lingo “warlalu” which means “let’s get it on, let’s go to war”.
“They will post themselves as beautiful women on Facebook to lure their prey. And that’s it, once the victims are kidnapped, they will start negotiations like asking for PHP500,000 and the span of negotiations is very short. It takes only about three to four days and they use GCash as an avenue for the collection of money which is very hard to trace,” he added.
Further probe revealed that the group is involved in the illegal sale of firearms.
The PNP-AKG filed kidnapping charges against Ebol and his cohorts before the Department of Justice on Sept. 12.
Meanwhile, continuous manhunt operations are being conducted to track the whereabouts of Ebol, and his other members Lexi Villanueva, Jaine Martinez, Hector Magallanes a.k.a. “Yanyan”, Erwin Flores a.k.a. “Marga”, and Matthew San Diego.
As mentioned earlier, one of the victims was abducted in Parañaque City – specifically in Barangay BF Homes – on September 3 before getting rescued a few days later. The Philippine Star noted this in its own report. Posted below is an excerpt from the report. Some parts in boldface…
Three of the suspects – Dewie Shaine Garcia, Charlemagne Vargas and Christian Paredes – surrendered to police after they were found to be connected to the kidnapping of 58-year-old Taiwanese businessman Michael Lee in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque on Sept. 3. He was rescued last Sept. 7.
Unfortunately, the Philippine Star report did not specify where exactly in Barangay BF Homes did the kidnapping happen. Right now the local authorities and their investigators are trying to figure out what exactly happened and what resources the kidnappers had.
This newest development should serve as a warning to all those who use dating sites or dating apps. There is the need to be cautious when interacting with someone through an online dating source. It is bad enough that there are lots of scammers here in the Philippines who try to lure people through text messaging and social media to get their money.
For added insight, watch the following news videos below…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about these new developments? Are you concerned that you may have interacted with kidnappers pretending to be attractive individuals on dating sites or dating apps? Do these events make you afraid of online dating? Do you think your local community could be easily infiltrated by kidnap-for-ransom gang members?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Two foreigners wanted by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for a transnational crime related to telecommunications were arrested by law enforcers in the city of Parañaque, according to a news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). The Manila Bulletin also has its own report of the same development. The suspects are now under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…
Police officers have arrested two South Korean nationals wanted for telecommunications fraud in their home country in Parañaque City.
In a statement Friday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee said suspects Juyeon Lee and Seungyeol Lim were arrested by members of the Anti-Transnational Crimes Unit and Intelligence Division of South Korea and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents in an operation at the BF Homes on Thursday night.
The suspects have a red notice from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for transnational crime.
Lee and Lim are members of a phone scam syndicate operating in the Philippines from 2015 to 2016 which preys on victims by posing as bank officials or sellers of a call center in Manila.
The suspects worked for the syndicate from February to July 2016 and were able to defraud a total of 2.8 billion Korean won (around PHP115 million) by performing the illegal activity.
Lee is an underboss of the “Majun Family” who operates voice phishing call centers in several luxury offices in Metro Manila defrauding a total of US$3.7 million (around PHP210 million) from 215 victims in just six months.
Currently, the syndicate has defrauded an approximate amount of US$21 million (around PHP1.1 billion) from its victims.
As to where the arrests happened, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
He said the suspects were nabbed by virtue of a “Red Notice” from the International Police Organization (INTERPOL) implemented by the CIDG’s Anti-Transnational Crimes Unit and Intelligence Division, Bureau of Immigration, and Korean Desk in BF Homes and MHFDS Village, respectively, at 6 p.m.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are living in Parañaque City, what is your reaction to this report? Do you think that Parañaque will remain a hot spot for foreign fugitives taking refuge far away from their country where they are wanted for crimes? Do you think that much work has to be done before the reported phone scam syndicate operating here in the Philippines will be fully stopped? Are you a victim of the suspects mentioned in the report?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Two persons from South Korea wanted in their nation for alleged fraud were recently apprehended by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Las Piñas City, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested two South Koreans who are wanted in their country for alleged fraud during a follow-up operation in Las Piñas City.
They were identified as Seol Kwangsu, 33, and Han Haneul, 28. They were arrested on at around 10 p.m. on May 19 in Barangay Almanza Dos.
“Both individuals are listed in the Interpol Red Notice for the alleged crime committed in their home country,” said Police Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police.
Danao said the operation was based on the information shared by the Korean Desk and Fugitive Search Unit of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) launched the operation in Barangay Almanza Dos and arrested the foreign nationals who were accused of Fraud.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? Do you believe that foreign fugitives could be living within your local community?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in Las Piñas City, a male teacher was arrested by law enforcers as a result of an entrapment operation in relation to his extortion attempts and threatening schools with bombings, the Philippine Star reported. There were more than thirty schools located in different cities that received extortion demands via email from the suspect.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine Star news report. Some parts in boldface…
A (teacher) accused of extortion and threatening schools in Metro Manila with bombings and mass shootings while posing as a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was apprehended in Las Piñas City, police reported yesterday. Jake Castro, 26, was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group under the supervision of CIDG director Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz during a sting in Barangay Zapote on Friday.
According to probers, Castro is a teacher at a private school for poor children at Doña Manuela Subdivision in Barangay Pamplona.
Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, who heads the CIDG National Capital Region field unit, said Castro e-mailed extortion demand messages to 33 schools in Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Makati, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Taguig and Quezon City.
Nine of the schools the suspect allegedly threatened are in Parañaque and seven in Quezon City.
Using the e-mail address newpeoplesarmy1969@gmail.com, Castro claims to be a member of the NPA special tactics unit, threatening the schools with bombings and terror attacks if his demands are not met.
One of these educational institutions from Barangay Bago Bantay in Quezon City filed a complaint with the CIDG after receiving e-mail from the suspect demanding P2 million.
“In case the school management failed to give in to the demand, they would bomb and blow the school into pieces and would shoot the people inside the school,” Silvio said.
Police said 26 other schools in Metro Manila received similar threats from the suspect.
A school principal convinced the suspect to agree to lower the amount to P500,000. Acting on this, the CIDG launched an entrapment operation with the help of a delivery rider after Castro agreed to receive the money at his house in Zapote village.
The suspect was placed under arrest after he received the marked money.
Police said they confiscated a .38-caliber handgun, five shotgun bullets, a cell phone, other gadgets and a motorcycle from Castro.
Castro is being held on charges of robbery, resisting arrest, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, violation of the election gun ban and Presidential Decree 1727 or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this crime story? If you are a school employee, did you work for a school that received a threat from the suspect via email? Are you thankful to the CIDG for apprehending the suspect?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
The crime wave involving illegal substances continued in Parañaque City (for past reports click here, here, here, here and here) as the Manila Bulletin recently reported the successful buy-bust operation of the local police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) which resulted the confiscation of more than P3 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of one suspect.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
A drug suspect was arrested in possession of P3.4 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) during a buy-bust operation by combined operatives from the Parañaque police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Saturday.
Southern Police District (SPD) Director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg commended the operatives for the arrest of suspect Nabel Sarip, 23, a resident of Parañaque.
Macaraeg said the suspect was arrested at about 3:10 p.m. in front of Raf Mansion Hotel on Service Road, Roxas Boulevard in Baclaran.
Sarip was placed under surveillance by the police after receiving several complaints on the illegal activities of the suspect.
A policeman who acted as a poseur-buyer was able to buy shabu from the suspect leading to his arrest.
Police were able to confiscate from the suspect about 500 grams of shabu placed inside two plastic bags and estimated to be worth P3.4 million.
Macaraeg said the confiscated shabu was brought to the SPD Crime Laboratory for chemical analysis.
Police filed charges of violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, before the Parañaque Prosecutor’s Office against Sarip, who is now detained at the police custodial facility.
Below is a related news video by ABS-CBN…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are resident of Parañaque City, are you tired about your city being a hot spot for crimes related to illegal drugs? What do you think makes Parañaque an attractive place for drug pushers/smugglers/mules/traders?
Do you believe it is time for the City Government of Parañaque to become more active in making the city free of illegal drugs?
When you hear the words Parañaque Renaissance, does crime become the first thing to enter in your mind?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Are you a resident of Las Piñas City who managed to spot something suspicious?
Yesterday it was reported via Philippine News Agency (PNA) that four people – including two foreigners from South Korea – were arrested as a result of a weapons buy-bust operation in the City of Las Piñas. The arrest happened on April 23, 2021.
To put things here in perspective, below is an excerpt from the PNA report…
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Director Maj. Gen. Albert Ferro said members of the CIDG field unit in Metro Manila nabbed suspects Tomas Adonis, Patrick Rowan, and South Korean nationals Han Bao and Hu Zhi at the Emapalico Subdivision, Las Piñas City on April 23.
Ferro said the operation stemmed from a Chinese informant who said the suspects are selling him illegal firearms through an online transaction.
One of the CIDG agents posed as a driver/assistant of the Chinese poseur buyer during the actual transaction, which led to the arrest of the suspects.
Recovered during the operation were firearms including a 9mm Colt rifle, a caliber 5.56 Colt AR-15 rifle, a .38 caliber revolver, a .45 caliber pistol, various ammunition, marked money, a laptop computer, assorted credit cards, blank cards, and a skimming device.
Furthermore, it was reported that the four suspects will be charged for violating Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and RA 11449 (Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998).
When it comes to illegal possession of firearms, posted below is an excerpt of Section 28 of RA 10591 under the Penal Provisions…
Section 28. Unlawful Acquisition, or Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. – The unlawful acquisition, possession of firearms and ammunition shall be penalized as follows:
(a) The penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a small arm;
(b) The penalty of reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua shall be imposed if three (3) or more small arms or Class-A light weapons are unlawfully acquired or possessed by any person;
(c) The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a Class-A light weapon;
(d) The penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any person who shall, unlawfully acquire or possess a Class-B light weapon;
(e) The penalty of one (1) degree higher than that provided in paragraphs (a) to (c) in this section shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully possess any firearm under any or combination of the following conditions:
(1) Loaded with ammunition or inserted with a loaded magazine;
(2) Fitted or mounted with laser or any gadget used to guide the shooter to hit the target such as thermal weapon sight (TWS) and the like;
(3) Fitted or mounted with sniper scopes, firearm muffler or firearm silencer;
(4) Accompanied with an extra barrel; and
(5) Converted to be capable of firing full automatic bursts.
(f) The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a major part of a small arm;
(g) The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for a small arm or Class-A light weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person charged with the unlawful acquisition or possession of a small arm, the former violation shall be absorbed by the latter;
(h) The penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a major part of a Class-A light weapon;
(i) The penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for a Class-A light weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person charged with the unlawful acquisition or possession of a Class-A light weapon, the former violation shall be absorbed by the latter;
(j) The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a major part of a Class-B light weapon; and
(k) The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for a Class-B light weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person charged with the unlawful acquisition or possession of a Class-B light weapon, the former violation shall be absorbed by the latter.
If you wish to react about this story or the crime situation there in your city, please feel free to comment below or contact me directly online.
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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Author Carlo Carrasco 