Mabalacat city: What started as a crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency scams has revealed a much darker reality: A network of human trafficking and exploitation involving vulnerable Filipina women. In a pre-dawn raid on Tuesday here, a multi-agency team, including the Regional Intelligence Division, Regional Special Operations Group 3, Bureau of Immigration’s Field Support Unit, and Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, stormed two locations in Mabalacat City, according to a statement from the Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3).
According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-3 chief Brig. General Ponce Rogelio Pe±ones Jr. said the coordinated operation dismantled a large-scale transnational scam and exploitation hub, exposing a disturbing link between online fraud and human suffering. The first raid, conducted at Asian Greenville Resort, led to the arrest of 24 Chinese nationals allegedly running a cryptocurrency investment scam. But authorities also discovered eight Filipino women at the facility.
PRO-3 reported that the women were found working under questionable circumstances, raising serious concerns that they were either coerced into assisting the scam or were actual victims of human trafficking. Authorities have since taken the women under custody, collaborating with anti-human trafficking units and social welfare officers to ensure their well-being.
A follow-up operation at Clark Hills Village led to the arrest of three more Chinese suspects linked to phishing schemes. The teams seized numerous computers, mobile devices, and other digital equipment, which are now being analyzed for evidence, PRO-3 stated.
Pe±ones highlighted that the raids reveal how foreign-led cybercrime syndicates are using the Philippines as a base, preying on locals, particularly women, to support their illegal activities. “These operations are a testament to our intensified campaign against transnational cybercrimes and illegal POGO activities,” Pe±ones was quoted as saying. “But beyond that, we are uncovering the exploitation of women — something we cannot tolerate. Central Luzon will not be a playground for traffickers and scammers.”
He also promised the full support of the government for the victims, assuring them of protection and access to rehabilitation and legal aid. Pe±ones noted that the Clark raids are part of a wider pattern in Southeast Asia, where foreign-run operations hide cyber fraud under the guise of legitimate businesses, often involving labor exploitation, human trafficking, and visa violations.
All arrested foreign nationals are now in immigration custody, facing deportation proceedings and potential charges for cybercrime, human trafficking, and immigration violations.