The Philippines Department of Labor and Employment is warning the public against illegal recruitment by certain Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.
The warning was issued after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) verified that some Chinese companies are operating in the country as POGOs without licensure and accreditation.
According to the Philippine Sun-Star, the dangers go beyond accepting illegal employment. A report from the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group notes that some people recruited by POGOs have been subject to abuse and even kidnapping. In one case, a Taiwanese national who worked for a POGO told police he was promised a salary of 13,000 RNB (US$2,000) per month. Instead, he became a “POGO work slave” and was “sold” twice to two different Chinese groups, identified as Yinghuang Yule and 3 + 7 Company, which are not authorized to operate as POGO in the Philippines.
According to officials, enslavement has been ongoing for years, with Chinese or Taiwanese nationals lured through social media accounts to be POGO workers. The companies would then pay them less than what was agreed upon. If they refused, they could be abducted and forced to call their families for ransom.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said, “It would be prudent to verify first the registration of such companies with relevant government agencies prior to engaging with them.”
