2 minors found working in raided POGO hub in LP
TWO of the 1,190 other Asians rescued inside a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Las Piñas City raided by agents of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group last June 26 were minors.
PNP-ACG director Brigadier General Sydney S. Hernia said that they discovered during the passport verification process last July 10 that two of the foreigners were minors–one a 17-year-old Indonesian and the other a 17-year-old Malaysian.
According to the PNP-ACG director, the identification of minors among the rescued victims serves as a stark reminder that the fight against human trafficking requires continuous vigilance and collaboration to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
Last June 26, PNP-ACG officers rescued 1,534 Filipinos and 1,190 other individuals of various nationalities in the raids at the seven buildings of Xinchuang Network Techonlogy, formerly known as ‘Hongai,’ at 501 Alabang-Zapote Road in Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City.
Hernia said that through meticulous planning and coordinated efforts, the PNP-ACG, alongside other law enforcement agencies, ensured the safe release of the over 1,000 Filipino workers to allow them to return to the comfort of their homes.
The official on Tuesday had a one-on-one talk with Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ C. Remulla Jr. to clarify matters raised by the DoJ chief about the raid at the Las Piñas City POGO facilities.
The two later agreed to have another meeting which will center on the need to have full coordination between DOJ prosecutors and the PNP-ACG when it comes to the conduct of similar raids in the future.
In another development, PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said that the raids in Clark Freeport Zone and Las Piñas City were done on the basis of court warrants and in accordance with police operational procedures.
Fajardo said that DOJ prosecutors were also present during the initial stages of the implantation of the search warrants, which was made in coordination with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking headed by the DOJ.
Meanwhile, PNP Public Information Office chief, Brig. Gen. Redrico A. Maranan said there was a clear ‘case build-up’ done prior to the raid in which the PNP-ACG acted on an ‘intelligence packet’ provided by the PNP Intelligence Group headed by Colonel Romeo J. Macapaz.
PAGCOR representatives as well as local officials and representatives from different Asian embassies were also present at the scene.
On Monday, PNP chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. said that the presence of POGO hubs literally harboring and employing foreigners wanted in their own countries is ‘alarming’ and must be addressed through close monitoring of these facilities.
