Recently in the province of Pampanga, elements of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the Special Action Force (SAF) and the local police raided a Philippine Overseas Gaming Operator (POGO) resulting in the rescue of almost two hundred local and foreign workers, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
Authorities rescued 187 foreign and Filipino workers in a raid at a Philippine Overseas Gaming Operator (POGO) center in Pampanga province on Tuesday night.
In a report on Wednesday, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said its members together with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Special Action Force and the local police carried out a search warrant operation against the Lucky South 99 compound along Friendship Highway in Angeles City.
The Malolos City Regional Trial Court Branch 14 issued the search warrant against the POGO over reports of human trafficking, torture and scam activities taking place within the establishment.
“Yung reports na nakuha sa atin, initial report for rescue was may mga tinotorture dito. Pinapalo ng mga baseball bat at pinagtatadiyakan dito. Meron tayong isang video na diumano babae na pinagsasayaw dito at pinagpapasahan ng mga bosses (The reports that we received, the initial report for rescue there are persons who are being tortured here. They are struck with a baseball bat and are being kicked. We also have a video allegedly showing a woman dancing and being abused by the bosses),” PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio said in a television interview.
Some 158 foreigners, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysians, Myanmar and Korean workers were rescued, together with 29 Filipinos.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that more POGOs around the nation should be investigated for potential criminal activities such as torture, prostitution, scamming and hacking? Do you believe it is high time for a nationwide ban on POGOs?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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