In a renewed push to combat human trafficking in the Philippine offshore gaming industry, prosecutors heard gripping testimony from Chinese workers detailing alleged rights abuses at a major Pasay City operation.
“The victims’ accounts provide a disturbing look into the inhumane conditions some were forced to endure.”
Said Winston Casio, spokesperson for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), his voice tinged with concern.
Key Points:
- Testimonies from 10 Chinese nationals against 7 compatriots
- Allegations of forced labor, human trafficking at Smart Web Technology Corp.
- 731 workers, including Filipinas, rescued in October 2023 raid
- Self-contained compound with entertainment facilities uncovered
The testimony marks the latest development following last year’s dramatic raid on the Smart Web Technology Corp. compound in Pasay. Authorities discovered a veritable self-contained city, complete with living quarters, entertainment amenities like a KTV lounge and massage parlor, restaurants, and even a small clinic.
However, the opulent facade belied a darker reality, according to the PAOCC. Chinese workers showed signs of physical abuse and claimed they were being held against their will and subjected to forced labor practices.
“We cannot turn a blind eye when basic human rights are being violated in this manner,” Casio stated firmly. “The Philippine government has no tolerance for these kinds of nefarious activities on our soil.”
Labor Trafficking Accusations
Prosecutors are now weighing whether to file charges against seven Chinese nationals identified as the alleged operatives behind the illegal practices at Smart Web. The PAOCC asserts the men were involved in deceptive hiring and human trafficking through schemes like the forced “selling” of workers between POGOs.
Defense lawyers have pushed back, claiming workplace misunderstandings and cultural differences were the root causes of the situation. They decried the “heavy-handed” raid as an overreaction.
Oversight and Prevention
The jarring case has amplified calls for increased oversight and prevention measures in the billion-peso POGO sector. Legislators have proposed tightening licensing requirements, enhancing regular inspections, and mandating workers’ rights training.
“Left unchecked, this underbelly of exploitation threatens to tarnish our nation’s reputation as a sound investment environment,” warned one Senate leader. “We must get our house in order.”
Next Steps
Prosecutors now have 60 days to render a decision on pressing charges based on the evidence presented, including the powerful worker testimonies. The PAOCC has also hinted at upcoming cases against other POGO firms.
Casio said:
“This is just the opening salvo in regaining control over a valuable sector that has spun out of control. We will be relentless in rooting out these kinds of abuses.”
As the investigation unfolds, the fates of the firm’s operators, the rescued workers, and the future of POGO oversight in the Philippines hangs in the balance.
Sources: THX News & Philippine News Agency.
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