29-10-2023 (MANILA) A significant operation conducted by Philippine law enforcement has resulted in the detention of nearly 600 individuals in Manila, as authorities targeted a suspected sex trafficking and online scam operation on the evening of October 28th.
According to a statement from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the detainees included nationals from China, Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines, and authorities are now engaged in interviews to distinguish between victims and suspects, as announced by Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla during a media briefing.
The Chinese embassy has been enlisted to assist in identifying nine individuals suspected of orchestrating this illicit business, which was allegedly operating under the guise of an internet gaming company.
Remulla characterized the operation as “large-scale” and “well-capitalized,” emphasizing its profitability through human trafficking. Concerns have been mounting internationally regarding internet scams in the Asia-Pacific region, where many trafficking victims are duped or coerced into promoting fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.
The authorities are in the process of obtaining warrants to access computers seized from the compound, which they suspect were employed in cryptocurrency and romance scams.
During the raid, two Chinese nationals reported that they were held against their will and displayed visible signs of physical abuse, according to the PAOCC. One of them claimed to have been kidnapped and sold for 500,000 pesos (equivalent to US$8,800) by another POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator). The other individual stated that he had been held captive for a year and forced to work up to 15 hours a day.
The compound also contained evidence of illegal activities, including sex toys, a massage parlour, karaoke rooms, and a restaurant.
This operation follows a significant crackdown in June when over 2,700 people were apprehended during a raid on multiple buildings in Manila. The detainees were allegedly lured into recruiting players for online games as part of an elaborate human trafficking network.
