Ex-POGO employee nabbed for human trafficking; 8 Cambodia-bound Pinoys rescued
In a statement, DMW said the suspect was intercepted on Sunday, July 13, after he attempted to send the victims to Vietnam and then Cambodia to work as scammers.
Based on the investigation, the suspect's former Chinese employer ordered him to arrange the documents of the victims.
The eight victims were supposed to be the third batch he would send to Cambodia.
The suspect was allegedly paid via cryptocurrency for every victim he recruited.
He will be facing charges of illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
Authorities are investigating whether there are other accomplices in the illegal recruitment.
DMW's Migrant Workers Protection Bureau urged other victims to coordinate with the agency through their official Facebook account for legal assistance. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
10 hours ago
- GMA Network
Online gambling boom sparks calls for ban in Philippines
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Lawmakers and the Catholic Church worry that addiction is soaring, with ever more gamblers drawn to online games, their need accelerated by social-media ads and e-wallet platforms. "The number of callers we received is 10 times more than usual. Before, callers were dominated by men. But now they're dominated by mothers... children as well," said Praferosa. Several lawmakers have filed bills seeking restrictions on online gambling, such as prohibiting the use of e-wallets that enable bigger, faster bets. Others want a total ban. Online gambling has taken off quickly in the Philippines, with government revenues from taxes and fees paid by local operators for the first quarter estimated at P51 billion ($892 million), according to news reports citing data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the government's gaming regulator. It accounted for about half of the government's total gaming revenues so far this year. At least 80 electronic gaming operators have licenses in the Philippines, according to PAGCOR. Gian Samson, a PAGCOR employee, said he backs an outright ban, claiming the human risks far outweigh the economic benefits. "Online gambling must be stopped immediately, and we should determine what is legal or illegal. It's not contributing anything to our society," said Samson, a representative of PAGCOR's employee association. The chairman of PAGCOR, founded in 1977 to regulate gaming and stop illegal casinos, rejects a total ban and instead favors stricter regulation. Growing problem Former President Rodrigo Duterte ushered in online gambling in 2016, opening the door to mostly Chinese-owned firms that catered to customers outside the country. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reversed track and imposed a ban on the outside entities last year, citing a "grave abuse" of laws by the industry. However, domestic digital versions of traditional casino games, such as slot machines, poker and roulette, are still permitted and can be accessed from mobile devices. While online gambling is legal, Samson said regulators have failed to limit the industry or control who can access these games, as is mandated. "They are giving Filipinos easy and convenient access to gambling. In just a tap of a button, you can deplete your life savings," he said. Players can join a game, then withdraw all their earnings through popular e-payment apps that even children can use, he said. DigiPlus Interactive, operator of gaming sites BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, said banning licensed operators would "drive players toward illegal, unregulated sites with no safeguards" as well as hit some 50,000 workers in the sector. "We are open to evolving and improving wherever needed. If there are new standards to meet, or better ways to protect players, we will act swiftly and responsibly," DigiPlus Chair Eusebio Tanco said in a statement. Recovery The church has decried online gambling as a "moral and social crisis" and called for a ban. "It is now a public health crisis in our society, just like drug addiction, alcoholism and other types of addiction. It destroys not only the person but also their families," Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said in a pastoral letter. He said online gambling hurts poor Filipinos who have almost no salary or savings and young people who are already struggling with the cost of education as well as other vulnerable people. In one Facebook recovery group with more than 25,000 members, one user said he tried to stop by installing an online gambling blocking app called Gamban but failed to curb his addiction. 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And in my ideal world, there wouldn't be as many people needing Gamban," he said. "Regulation, if done properly, can prevent or at the very least curtail online gambling significantly." — Reuters
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
1,422 foreigners deported from Jan-June for immigration violations
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GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
Consumer groups urge tech-driven steps vs. illegal online gambling
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