By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Concerned of the trauma being experienced by the human trafficking victims, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it will provide temporary shelter, psychosocial support and counseling, medical and other services to the rescued 10 Filipino women and a minor from the raided illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Lapu-Lapu City.
At least 162 foreigners were found working in the illegal POGO hub when authorities swooped down on the illegal POGO on Saturday (31 August 2024). They will face inquest proceedings in Manila.
“The DSWD ensures the protection of women and children during rescue operations and that their rights are being observed and respected,” DSWD Field Office -7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero said.
After receiving a reliable intelligence tip, operatives of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), along with agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Armed Forces’ Military Intelligence Group 7, Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), which is co-chaired by the DSWD, raided the “illegal” POGO hub at the Tourist Garden Hotel in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu province.
For its part, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it will provide the necessary services needed by the rescued foreign nationals.
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