In a significant operation carried out on Tuesday, authorities successfully rescued over 2,000 workers, including at least 4 Singaporeans, from alleged human traffickers operating in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub located in Las Piñas City, according to a report by The Straits Times.
The raid, conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP), aimed to dismantle the illegal activities and provide immediate assistance to the victims involved.
According to the PNP, out of the rescued individuals, 1,525 were Filipinos, while the rest hailed from countries such as China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Singapore, among others.
This extensive operation was initiated after the PNP’s anti-cybercrime group obtained a search warrant to investigate the POGO complex, seize relevant computer data, and uncover potential violations of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
A spokesperson of PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group, PCapt Michelle Sabino, revealed that the victims were working for an online casino for 12 hours a day, working from afternoon to midnight.
Only a limited number of workers were allowed to leave the premises, with strict restrictions imposed on those lacking necessary documents.
It was also noted that the POGO complex provided accommodation and boarding facilities for the workers.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Chinese nationals received the highest salaries, amounting to approximately ₱40,000 per month, while workers from other countries, including Filipinos, were paid a monthly salary of ₱24,000.
Authorities also found evidence indicating that the victims were recruited through online job postings. The allure of employment opportunities in the online gaming industry attracted these individuals, unaware of the exploitation they would eventually face.
In addition to the rescue operation, authorities are now focusing on determining if the POGO workers were involved in love scams or cryptocurrency scams. The investigation aims to uncover any potential connections or illegal activities beyond human trafficking.
The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that their embassy in Manila is in contact with the Filipino authorities and has reached out to the affected Singaporeans to provide help.
They also thanked the Philippine authorities for their efforts.