Two Indonesian men recently appeared at the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), recounting their experiences of being "sold" and exploited by several POGO companies, unable to bear the prolonged detention and control, seeking asylum and hoping to return to their country soon.
These two individuals, named Hendri and Suhendro, arrived at the PAOCC detention center around 9 PM, actively seeking assistance. They revealed that they were forced to stay in the Philippines due to their inability to pay overdue visa and immigration-related fees, trapped in the dark chains of the offshore gaming industry.
Suhendro stated that since 2023, he has been "sold" to multiple gaming platforms, including Hongtai, Shuangma, and JX Tower. He accused that his passport was confiscated at the beginning of his employment, his freedom severely restricted, and he suspected to be a victim of human trafficking.
Another person, Hendri, had a similar experience. He had worked at Hongtai and was once controlled by the company, later escaping the situation with the help of a personal protection order. He also mentioned that he was arranged to work in the now-closed Island Cove resort in gambling-related jobs, under harsh conditions, and his salary was often deducted.
PAOCC has transferred the cases of the two men to the Bureau of Immigration and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for further assessment and handling, and has provided them with temporary asylum. Meanwhile, they are cooperating with the Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines to assist them in safely returning to their country.
This incident once again reveals the serious illegal activities such as unlawful detention and forced labor existing in some Philippine POGO companies. PAOCC emphasizes that it will continue to strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking and the dark profit chains behind it, ensuring the basic rights and safety of foreign workers in the Philippines.
