KAWIT, Cavite (April 17, 2025) — Two Indonesian nationals who previously worked for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (PoGos) in Island Cove, Kawit, Cavite, sought refuge at the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) custodial facility Wednesday night, citing alleged human trafficking and financial difficulties in returning home.
The men, identified as Hendry and Suhendro, arrived at the PAOCC facility around 9 p.m., requesting assistance to safely return to Indonesia.
Both admitted to being overstaying aliens and said they are unable to settle the necessary immigration fees to leave the country legally.
Suhendro claimed he was trafficked and sold from one PoGo company to another since 2023, having worked at Hongtai, Shuangma, and JX Tower, among others.
His passport was reportedly confiscated by his trafficker. Authorities consider him a potential human trafficking victim.
Hendry, who also worked at Hongtai, was previously detained but gained release through a habeas corpus petition.
He confirmed he had been employed at the now-defunct Island Cove PoGo hub in Kawit.
The PAOCC said it will coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Justice–Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT) for the proper processing of their cases.
In the meantime, the commission will provide them with temporary refuge and has initiated contact with the Indonesian Embassy for repatriation assistance.
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