9 Indonesians complain of ‘exploitation’ by Pogo

MANILA, Philippines — Nine Indonesians, who used to work for Philippine offshore gaming operations (Pogo) hubs in the country, on Friday surrendered to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

In a statement on Saturday, PAOCC said the Indonesians admitted having worked in various Pogo hubs involved in online betting as well as scamming activities.

“Although none of them recounted any experience of physical maltreatment, PAOCC said their salaries were often not fully paid whenever they failed to meet the quotas set by their bosses,” the PAOCC statement said.

READ: Pogo raided in Makati CBD; workers escape

“This is a salient indication of labor trafficking that exploited their economic vulnerabilities,” the agency said, adding that the two surrendered women and seven men sought refuge sought refuge at the PAOCC custodial facility in Pasay City.

PAOCC said they joined 30 other Indonesians who were rescued from a Pogo hub at Kanlaon Tower in Pasay City in February.

The Indonesians surrendered to PAOCC in the common hope of being repatriated soon, a day after authorities raided a another Pogo hub at the heart of the Makati City central business district.

Government agents failed to arrest the workers at the alleged scam centers at PBCom Tower on Ayala Avenue who were able to escape before the law enforcers arrived.

It its statement, PAOCC said it would request the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to facilitate the summary repatriation of the 39 Indonesians in its custody.

As of last week, the BI, according to PAOCC said the BI already included last week the repatriation of the first 30 Indonesian nationals in the next meeting of the Board of Commissioners on March 21.

PAOCC said it hoped the nine latest surrenderers would also be included in the agenda on the said date.

Suspected Pogo hubs continued to operate in the country despite the total ban imposed by President Marcos through Executive Order No. 75 signed on Nov. 5 last year.

Under the order, Pogos—including “internet gaming licensees” should have ceased their operations on Dec. 31 last year.

Citing a report from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the EO pointed out that it had become susceptible to money laundering, fraud and other illicit financial activities, thus posing threats to the integrity of the national financial system.