Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday (14/2/2025) that 30 Indonesian citizens suspected of involvement in an online scam operation were detained in Pasay, Metro Manila, during a raid conducted by the Philippine Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Thursday.

The Indonesian police attaché in Manila coordinated with PAOCC during the operation, which resulted in the detention of 22 Indonesian men, 8 Indonesian women and four other foreign citizens.

The detainees were found at Kanlaon Tower in Pasay, a known accommodation site for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) workers. The POGO industry, which provided cross-border online gambling services, has been banned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

According to initial statements, the Indonesians were recruited as online scammers. However, their passports were not found at the location, according to antaranews.com.

The Foreign Ministry assured that the detained WNI are in good condition at PAOCC's detention facility, with the Indonesian Embassy in Manila closely monitoring the situation. The embassy is coordinating with authorities to issue temporary travel documents (SPLP) for their repatriation.

PAOCC launched the operation after receiving a tip from an Indonesian national claiming to be held against their will at Kanlaon Tower. Following the raid, 13 detainees expressed their intention to press charges against their two Chinese employers, who were arrested before the operation.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)