Suspected POGO firm seeks ‘unbiased’ probe after police raid, rescue of 2K foreigners

THE legal counsel of a company in Las Pinas suspected of being a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) firm called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct an “unbiased investigation” on an incident on Thursday, June 29, that resulted in the injury of several human trafficking victims from China who were part of the 2,000 rescued individuals.

Operatives from the Philippine National Police check the vicinity of an alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) in Las Piñas City on June 27, 2023, following a raid and rescue of 2,000 victims, mostly foreigners, of trafficking. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

Likewise, Vargas Law, representing Xinchuang Network Technology Inc. that was the subject of search warrants issued by Las Pinas City Regional Trial Court Judge Elizabeth Yu-Guray on June 26, urged the PNP to immediately release the foreigners and Filipinos under their custody since no charges have been filed against them after the lapse of 72 hours.

“Otherwise, our clients shall be well within their rights to file the necessary action against you and the entire task force before the courts of law,” Vargas Law said.

At least 2,724 individuals–1,534 Filipinos and 1190 foreigners–were supposedly rescued by a joint task force of the PNP on Tuesday, June 27, on a suspected Pogo firm in Las Piñas City.

Of the rescued foreigners, 604 were from China, 183 from Vietnam, 137 from Indonesia, 134 from Malaysia, 81 from Thailand, 21 from Taiwan, seven from Nigeria, five from Singapore, five from Myanmar, four from Yemen, two from Pakistan, two from Africa, one from India, one from Somalia, one from Sudan, one from Cameroon, and one from Iran.