A MULTI-AGENCY task force has been created by the Mandaue City Government to combat scam hubs, illegal drug laboratories, gambling dens, and other forms of organized crime in the city.
In an executive order (EO) signed on Monday, July 7, 2025, Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano created the Multi-Agency Task Force on Organized Criminal Operations, which will lead coordinated intelligence gathering, investigation, and enforcement actions targeting covert illegal activities operating under the guise of legitimate businesses.
The move comes just days after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)–Mandaue City Field Unit arrested nine Chinese nationals in a raid on a suspected Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogo) and scam hub in a private subdivision in Barangay Alang-Alang on July 2.
“This Task Force represents our unified front against all forms of organized crime. We will not tolerate criminal enterprises exploiting our city and our people,” Ouano said.
The Task Force will be led by the Mandaue City Police Office and include key agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation–Mandaue District Office, Bureau of Fire Protection–Mandaue, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit VII, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)–Mandaue, subject to agreement with each agency head.
“The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, declares it the policy of the State to safeguard the integrity of its territory and the well-being of its citizenry particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on their physical and mental well-being,” read part of the EO.
Citing the law against illegal drugs, the EO further noted that there are strict penalties for the manufacture, sale, possession, and operation of clandestine laboratories and chemical warehouses used in the production or distribution of dangerous drugs.
The mayor will appoint a Task Force coordinator to oversee inter-agency coordination, reporting, and operations.
Core functions
The Task Force is tasked with identifying, investigating, and dismantling a wide range of illegal operations in the city through surveillance, barangay coordination, property watchlisting, criminal case build-up, and the recommendation of closure or permit revocation actions in coordination with the City Legal Office and the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), among others.
The illegal operations include scam hubs and online fraud centers, drug laboratories and storage facilities, illegal gambling activities, cybersex dens and fronts for human trafficking, as well as other covert or syndicated criminal enterprises operating within Mandaue City.
All 27 barangays in Mandaue have been required to fully cooperate with the Task Force.
Each barangay must designate an Anti-Crime Focal Person, submit bi-monthly intelligence reports, and assist in enforcement activities.
Barangays that fail to cooperate without valid justification may face administrative review by the DILG-Mandaue Field Office, according to the EO.
Barangay officials are also tasked with identifying undocumented commercial tenants and monitoring high-risk properties within their jurisdiction that may be used for illicit activities.
Ouano stressed that all Task Force operations must uphold constitutional rights, data privacy, and due process.
The City Government will allocate funds for equipment, logistics, and capacity-building to support the Task Force’s operations, subject to budget and audit regulations.
The EO will take effect immediately and will remain in force unless amended or revoked. / CAV