Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) confirmed that 30 Indonesian citizens suspected of being involved in online fraud operations in the Philippines have been secured in an operation in Pasay, Metro Manila, recently.
The arrests were made on February 13, 2025 by the Philippine Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the operation was carried out in coordination with the Indonesian Police Attaché in Manila, who also participated in the operation.
"In the operation, 34 people were secured, consisting of 30 Indonesian citizens and 4 other foreign nationals. Of the 30 Indonesian citizens, there were 8 women and 22 men," according to a written statement from the Directorate of Protection of Indonesian Citizens and Legal Entities of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta, Friday.
The Indonesian citizens were arrested at their residence in Kanlaon Tower Pasay, which is known to be the accommodation point for workers of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) company – an inter-country online gambling service provider that has been banned by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Based on the statements of the Indonesian citizens who were caught, they were recruited to work as online scammers in a company. However, their passports have not been found at the location.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensures that the Indonesian citizens are currently being accommodated in the PAOCC detention facility in good condition and their needs are met. The Indonesian Embassy in Manila will also continue to closely monitor the Indonesian citizens.
"The Indonesian Embassy in Manila has visited the detention location to coordinate with the PAOCC and conduct data collection for the issuance of Travel Documents in Lieu of Passports (SPLP) for Indonesian citizens," said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
Meanwhile, PAOCC will continue to coordinate with Philippine immigration authorities for the repatriation process and issuance of related documents.
PAOCC, through its written statement, stated that it had carried out a “rescue operation” at Kanlaon Tower on February 13 at the request of an Indonesian citizen who claimed to be detained in the building.
According to PAOCC, after being secured, 13 of the 30 Indonesian citizens expressed their intention to sue their two employers, who were known to be Chinese citizens and had been arrested before the security operation.