PAOCC rescues 34 allegedly detained Indonesian POGO workers

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), in a Pasay City operation, rescued 34 Indonesian nationals who were allegedly being detained and forced to work at an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operation (POGO).

According to a report by Jhomer Apresto on Unang Balita Friday, the PAOCC also arrested two Chinese nationals accused of holding the Indonesians against their will.

“May natanggap kasi kaming report na merong mga Indonesians that are being held against their will dito. At nakipag-ugnayan kami agad doon sa Indonesian Embassy. Dumating po yung Interpol,” PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said.

(We received a report that Indonesians were being held against their will here. We immediately coordinated with the Indonesian Embassy, and Interpol also arrived.)

The suspects allegedly confiscated the Indonesians' passports to prevent them from escaping and leaving the Philippines.

One of the arrested individuals was reportedly a finance officer of the POGO firm, while the other was said to be the “boss” of the rescued workers. 

The latter was also alleged to be a former member of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

“May uniform siyang pinakita na naka-PLA. Dati siyang may kaso ng kidnapping at meron siyang warrant of arrest for kidnapping. Ngayon pinakita niya na dismissed na raw yung kaso niyang yun pero aalamin pa natin," Casio said.

(He showed a picture of himself in a PLA uniform. He previously had a kidnapping case and a warrant of arrest for kidnapping. He claims the case was dismissed, but we will verify that.”

Authorities believed the Indonesians were being transported between different POGO establishments. 

They were also allegedly offered a chance to go to Cambodia for a fee. Once in Cambodia, they would be forced to work as scammers.

The PAOCC is now coordinating with the Indonesian Embassy to facilitate the victims' voluntary repatriation. — Joviland Rita/DVM, GMA Integrated News