Seven employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) voluntarily surrendered to the "Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission" (PAOCC), after their work visas were cancelled and they faced financial difficulties, hoping to return to Indonesia as soon as possible.
According to Gilbert Cruz, the executive director of PAOCC, this group of foreign workers includes five men and two women, all of Indonesian nationality. Following the issuance of Executive Order No. 74 by the Philippine government, which strengthened the regulation of the POGO industry, they decided to surrender and seek repatriation.
One of the surrenderers, Bruno, told PAOCC that they had worked in multiple POGO companies, moving between Pasay, Parañaque, Makati, and Cavite. He said that initially, their jobs were just ordinary gaming tasks, but after switching to other companies, they found themselves involved in fraudulent activities.
Bruno revealed that although they did not suffer physical abuse, the mental pressure was immense, with frequent verbal abuse from management, even threatening their safety. "If we didn't meet performance targets, we would be called 'idiots', 'useless', even hearing threats like 'you better die' or 'I will electrocute you'," he said. Although these words were not acted upon, the threatening language was very stressful. Additionally, employees who did not meet the fraud quotas would have most of their wages deducted.
Currently, these seven Indonesian nationals are being detained by PAOCC and are under further investigation. PAOCC has coordinated with the Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines to arrange their repatriation.
Gilbert Cruz stated: "The Indonesian Embassy usually covers the cost of repatriation flights, and the Philippine government along with PAOCC are willing to provide support to ensure their safe return home."
According to statistics, since last year, 30 foreign POGO workers have surrendered to PAOCC, as the Philippine government intensifies its efforts to crack down on illegal POGO operations and strengthen regulation of the industry.
