PNP denies police sold rescued Chinese workers to other POGOs

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday denied allegations that the police sold Chinese workers who were rescued in Las Piñas in 2021 to other illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

At a press briefing, PNP Chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said some of the workers decided to stay in their company after the operation.

“During the rescue, mga 72 plus yung nandodoon. But yung nagpapa-rescue lang, yun lang ang kinuha ng PNP. Others opted na they will remain in the company,” he said.

(During the rescue, over 72 workers were there. But the PNP only took those who would like to be rescued. Others opted to remain with the company.)

Over the weekend, a former POGO firm operator said Chinese workers were snatched from their workplaces and sold to illegal POGO companies in Cavite and Pasay for P500,000 each.

Azurin said the PNP had filed a complaint against the former POGO firm operator after the operation in 2021 but this was dismissed.

“Yung kanyang allegations na binebenta ng PNP or nakikinabang ang PNP (Her allegations that the PNP was selling the workers and making money out of it), I think that's very unfair to the PNP,” he said.

Azurin encouraged former operator to name the police officers involved in her allegation. — DVM, GMA Integrated News