QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) transferred six foreign detainees from the Pasay-based offshore gaming operator SA Rivendell Global Gaming Incorporated to a detention facility of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig on Friday, August 25. 

Designated as “high value” by the PAOCC due to their potential flight risk, the six foreigners were believed to be the brains and/or integral programmers behind the game platforms of SA Rivendell.

The six detainees – five Chinese and a Malaysian – have been identified as:

• Chen Sheng
• Zhang Shiyi
• Weiqiang Zhan
• Chong Liao
• Xi Feng
• Chong Weng Keong, a Malaysian

PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said that these people are the brains of the syndicate as they are the programmers behind the online gaming platforms, and that POGO companies are willing to pay huge amounts to get them out.

Although not yet charged with criminal cases, the eight Chinese detainees were subjected to inquest and commitment orders from the immigration bureau, he said.

Meanwhile, one of the 28 foreign workers, who faced charges for Securities Regulation Code and Cybercrime Prevention Act 2012 violations and posted bail but remained detained due to violation of immigration laws, managed to escape from the SKK Building in Pasay on August 22.

Law enforcement agencies have started a search for Lin Guowei, and the BI has sent out a fugitive manhunt team to arrest and detain him.

The remaining 27 foreign detainees were transferred to the Pasay City Jail under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). They are the following:

• Li Luwei
• Zhang Junsheng
• Li Yanwei
• Loh Sie Hung
• Sai Maung Maung
• Yang Jun
• Feng Zhiyuan
• Lin Shao Bin
• Li Bing Qin
• Su Meiling
• Peng Guangyi
• Luo Shui Ping
• Song Yong Zhi
• Peng Xing
• Zhao Shunan
• Li Xiaobin
• Jian Xiaolong
• Zhong Lang
• Liu Rong
• Chen Xin Qiang
• Qu Jian
• Guo Huan Li
• Jin Shui Li
• Angulaj Selvaraj
• Song Hai Feng
• Zhang Lei
• Song Diedie

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin directed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco to initiate summary deportation proceedings for the 231 foreigners apprehended during the August 1 Pasay raid. The deportation proceedings are scheduled for Tuesday, August 29, and these individuals are also barred from reentry.

Bersamin also ordered Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Matthew David to freeze all assets linked to SA Rivendell, including the SKK Building, and three vehicles found in close proximity: a Toyota FJ Cruiser, Ram Rebel, and Subaru Forester XT.

On August 16, authorities executed a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 111, resulting in the unsealing of 32 vaults. 

Officials said the vaults contained roughly P7 million and US$6,000 in cash, along with credit cards, passports, numerous SIM cards, suspected crypto hardware wallets, automatic OTP generators, and pages bearing crypto seed phrases.

The find strongly indicated the laundering of gains through digital payment systems, officials said. – Rappler.com