PNP files papers against 8 Chinese for human trafficking in Bamban Pogo center

SHUTDOWN The Philippine center of an offshore gaming operator (Pogo), which operated behind Bambanu City Hall in Tarlac province, was shut down after a government raid in March for human trafficking, online fraud and other illegal activities. — RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Wednesday filed a complaint against eight Chinese nationals for holding their fellow citizens captive at the Bamban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) center in Bamban, Tarlac.

Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, PNP-CIDG chief, said the complaint was based on the testimony of two Chinese nationals who worked at the Bamban Pogo center.

READ: 7 Bamban Pogo Trafficking Bosses Surrender to NBI

“They were held against their will. They were forced to work against their will. “Gusto nila umuwi, gusto nila umayaw pero hindi sila pinayagan umamil,” Torre told reporters.

(They were held against their will. They were forced to work against their will. They wanted to go home, they wanted to be free, but they were not allowed to leave.)

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Torre said the eight respondents hold positions at the Pogo Center.

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“They are in positions that actually require them to take control of these victims,” ​​he said.

However, Torre did not name the eight respondents, but said they were already in police custody as they had already been charged.

“Perhaps there are no initial cases. Youth trafficking that arose out of the same operation,” he said.

(The first cases have already been filed against them, such as the case of human trafficking during the Pogo operations.)

Torres said more cases will be filed soon as their investigation continues.

Former Bamban mayor Alisa Goh was not included in the complaint.

Guo is already facing several cases of human trafficking and bribery. She also faces allegations of money laundering, perjury and falsification of public documents, which are being investigated by the Justice Department.