Authorities conducted a raid on a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company in Bagac, Bataan province, on suspicion of labor trafficking.
The joint operation was carried out by a mixed team consisting of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and the Bureau of Immigration.
The team, armed with a search warrant, searched 15 foreigners and 7 buildings within the compound.
PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio stated, "We received complaints that there were Filipinos suffering from labor trafficking here."
"Foreign nationals were also detained inside. They complained that they were not free to leave or move around the compound. So, there are indications of labor trafficking here."
The CEO of the BPO company denied these allegations.
"No, we are running a business... We comply with the regulations of the Department of Labor... There is nothing to hide... We are just a business support company," said Norman Chaw, CEO of Central One Bataan.
Although the company is not a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO), rows of computers, mobile phones, other gadgets, and SIM cards were found inside the raided BPO.
Unlike POGOs, most employees of the BPO are Filipinos. Data shows that 95% of the company's 1500 employees are locals.
The BPO claims to have permits from the local government and the Bataan Freeport Zone. However, PAOCC stated that these were not sufficient.
"It does not have a secondary license issued by PAGCOR. Although it is indeed a BPO and has obtained a permit from the investment promotion zone," said PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz.
Furthermore, upon inspecting the computers inside the BPO, authorities found that a significant amount of money might be linked to sports betting fraud activities.
All employees will undergo processing and analysis. It is also reported that the immigration status of foreign employees will be checked.
