14-3-2024 (MANILA) Authorities from multiple government agencies conducted a large-scale rescue operation, saving 371 Filipinos and 497 foreign nationals allegedly involved in human trafficking at a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) in Bamban town, Tarlac province, on Wednesday.
Winston Casio, spokesperson for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), revealed to the Inquirer via phone interview that the rescued Pogo workers comprised 427 Chinese, 57 Vietnamese, eight Malaysians, three Taiwanese, two Indonesians, and two Rwandans.
Casio explained that two search warrants were executed against the Chinese-owned Zun Yuan Technology Inc. at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday by a regional trial court in Bulacan province. “One of the warrants was for violation of Republic Act No. 9208 as amended by RA 10364, or human trafficking, and the other one was for serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code,” he clarified.
The request for warrants stemmed from information provided by the Malaysian Embassy regarding a Malaysian national allegedly held, detained, and coerced to work within one of the 36 multistory buildings owned by the Chinese company in Bamban’s Anupul village.
Casio highlighted an incident on Feb. 28 where a Vietnamese worker managed to escape and alerted authorities, disclosing the plight of numerous workers in need of rescue.
Acting on embassy intelligence “We successfully retrieved the Vietnamese worker in Bamban and relocated him to a safehouse in Manila. The information from the Malaysian Embassy and the testimony of the Vietnamese worker formed the basis for seeking warrants against the Pogo company,” Casio elaborated.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) led the operation to serve the warrants against the company, assisted by the PAOCC, various police units, and personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Casio mentioned that the PAOCC requested the Bureau of Immigration to conduct an immigration inquest on the rescued foreigners, intending to cancel their working visas and repatriate them to their respective countries of origin.
As the CIDG and Department of Justice prosecutors continue to evaluate available information, efforts are underway to determine which company officers should face charges for the offenses outlined in the warrants.
Casio disclosed that requests have been made to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to revoke Zun Yuan Technology’s Pogo license. The Anti-Money Laundering Council has also been tasked with assessing the value of the company’s properties in Bamban for forfeiture by the national government.
The raided Pogo in Bamban, with its expansive land area and numerous properties comprising 36 buildings, stands out as one of the largest operations to date.
In a similar operation on May 5, 2023, authorities rescued 171 Filipinos and 919 foreign workers from a Pogo in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga province. Casio noted that like the Clark-based Pogo, Zun Yuan Technology was allegedly involved in cryptocurrency investment scams.
Additionally, authorities discovered evidence suggesting the firm’s participation in “love scams” and seized firearms and ammunition from its premises. The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group is seeking a court warrant to search the contents of the company’s computers.
According to its website, Zun Yuan Technology describes itself as “a dynamic and innovative corporation specializing in internet gambling and operation.” Established in 2023, it boasts a range of well-equipped facilities on its premises, including large power generators, a cafeteria, a convenience store, and a professional billiards room.
