16 Thais rescued from forced POGO labor

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila police rescued 16 nationals from Thailand who were allegedly forced to work for a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) company in Pampanga on Saturday.

Southern Police District (SPD) director Brig. Gen. Kirby Kraft said the victims were rescued at R6 Fontana inside the Clark Freeport Zone.

Kraft said officers of the SPD, National Capital Region Police Office, Criminal Investigation and Detection Groups from the Regional field unit 3 and Pampanga conducted the operation.

The rescue was hatched after Minister Counselor Kritreya Lepkao of the Royal Thai embassy in Manila informed the police about a report that Thai nationals were allegedly being forced to work beyond official working hours, but were not receving overtime pay.

The POGO employees were reportedly working for Shedaikeji Technology.

Rescued in the operation were Hasim Komonchanok, Iamphon Anucha, Mathsee Thaweeblamlerd, Khamwisu Darunee, Bunmachu Attaphon, Winai Noito, Sompong Sukyong, Wilaiporn Khasun, Sungnum Pannipa, Khaivigit Kittipong, Yuwamongkol Therapon, Worapattananan Panupong, Chaikla Natthamut, Rachala Mattana, Siriwan Panta and Jiang Jun.

According to Kraft, the passports of the Thai nationals were allegedly being held by their employer.

Police said the victims would no longer file charges against their employer as they opted to immediately return home.

The victims were turned over to the Thai embassy in Manila.

Kraft lauded the police for the successful rescue operation.

“The Philippine National Police, with the help of other law enforcement agencies, has started a crackdown on human trafficking related to POGO activities,” he said.