34 foreign POGO workers being sent to Cebu rescued at NAIA

Thirty-four foreign nationals employed in a Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) firm were rescued by authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after some of them sought help.

Three of the workers were Chinese and 31 were Vietnamese, according to Saleema Refran’s report on “Balita Ko” on Wednesday.

“They’re being forced against their will dun sa pagtatrabaho nila, at the same time, ‘yung pagpunta nila sa Cebu. Accordingly, parang ipapasa sila sa isang company uli,” Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP Avseg) Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky said.

(They’re being forced to go and work in Cebu.  Accordingly, they will be transferred to another company.)

Four of the Vietnamese sought their assistance, authorities added.

“‘Yung POGO na pinanggalingan nito, ililipat nila ‘yung mga tao nila sa sang lugar o talagang nagbabawas sila ng tao dahil nakakaramdam na sila ng init,” Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Gilbert Cruz.

(Either the POGO firm they were working for wants to transfer its employees or it is reducing employees.)

Three foreigners were arrested for trafficking, including a Chinese national who was found in possession of an unregistered firearm. The suspect denied the allegations and said the gun was not his.

“Ito ‘yung tinawagan nung nagka-aberya na di sila nakalipad. Most likely, ito yung sinususpetyahan natin na isa sa mga boss,” Wanky added.

(This was the one who was called when they were not able to get on the flight. Most likely this is one of the bosses.)

At least four Filipino interpreters and drivers were also apprehended. They declined to give comment but said they were unaware of the accusations.

“Transporting of victims is also a punishable act as a form of human trafficking,” PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said.

Meanwhile, four more victims from a POGO hub in Pasay that had a "torture chanber" came forward and said the torture chamber was being operated by a Chinese boss and three Chinese enforcers. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News