Police rescue 16 Thai POGO workers

October 18, 2022 Philippines Crime & Legal

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) rescued 16 Thais who were forced to work in a Philippine offshore gaming operation (POGO) company in Pampanga.

The Southern Police District chief, BGen. Kirby John Kraft, said on Sunday a joint team from the District Special Operations Unit, Regional Special Operations Group of the Metro Manila police force, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Mabalacat City Police Station rescued the Thais from the office of the POGO, identified as Shedaikeji Technology, on Saturday afternoon.

Kraft said the PNP received a letter from Minister Counselor Kritreya Lepkao of the Thailand Embassy last October 13 that the Thais were being forced to work beyond regular hours without overtime pay.

The Thais’ passports were reportedly held by their employer, who was represented by a Ms. Pablo.

The company’s representative reportedly agreed to return the workers’ passports to the Thai embassy on October 17.