PAMPANGA POGO HUB RAID: 187 FOREIGN, FILIPINO WORKERS RESCUED

JOINT operatives on Tuesday night rescued 187 foreign and Filipino workers in a raid at a Philippine Overseas Gaming Operator (POGO) center in Pampanga.

Raided was the Lucky South 99 compound on Friendship Highway in Angeles City.

Members of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Special Action Force and the local police launched the search warrant operation.

Lawmen were armed with a search warrant issued by the Malolos City Regional Trial Court Branch 14 against the POGO over reports of human trafficking, torture and scam activities taking place within the establishment.

“Yung reports na nakuha natin, initial report for rescue was may mga tinotorture dito. Pinapalo ng mga baseball bat at pinagtatadiyakan dito. Meron tayong isang video na diumano babae na pinagsasayaw dito at pinagpapasahan ng mga boss,” PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio said in a television interview.

Rescued were 157 foreigners, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysians, Myanmar and Korean workers, and 29 Filipinos.

According to PAOCC, the rescued foreigners are now undergoing biometrics checks by the Bureau of Immigration.