Rescued Malaysian testifies Chinese sold him to Bamban Pogo for P300,000 | INQToday

Summary

A Malaysian national, rescued from a Philippine offshore gaming operators' hub in Bamban, testified to the House of Representatives about being sold by Chinese friends for 300,000 pesos during a Moto Proprio investigation. Identified as Dylan, he was lured to celebrate the Chinese New Year and was later forced to work to repay the debt. Despite phone confiscation and alleged torture, Dylan managed to contact his family who alerted the Malaysian Embassy, leading to a raid that rescued over 800 individuals suspected of human trafficking. The incident has prompted a legislative probe into the operations of POGOs.

Takeaways

• 📢 A Malaysian national was rescued after being sold to a Philippine offshore gaming operator for 300,000 pesos.
• 🌏 The incident occurred during the Moto Proprio investigation by the House Committee on Public Order and Safety.
• 🗓️ The event took place on February 10, during the Chinese New Year celebrations at Balu Land in Bamban.
• 👤 The victim, identified as Dylan, was lured to the Philippines from Dubai by a friend and then abandoned.
• 📞 Dylan was told he had to work to pay off the money he was sold for, and was given a minimum of six months of work as a condition.
• 🛡️ His phone was confiscated, and he was subjected to torture by the gaming operators.
• 🆘 Dylan managed to contact his relatives in Malaysia using his company phone, leading to his rescue.
• 🏢 The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission spokesperson, Winston John Kaso, released Dylan's story.
• 👥 Over 800 individuals, including 300 Filipinos and nearly 500 foreigners, were rescued from the gaming hub in Bamban.
• 🚨 The raid was conducted due to allegations of human trafficking involvement by the gaming operators.
• 🏛️ The House panel is investigating the gaming operators (POGOs) on the instruction of Speaker Martin Gales.

Q & A

What event did the rescued Malaysian National testify about?

The Malaysian National testified about being sold to a Philippine offshore gaming operators' hub in Bamban, during the Moto Proprio investigation conducted by the House Committee on Public Order and Safety.

What was the amount for which the Malaysian National was sold?

The Malaysian National was sold for 300,000 pesos.

When did the incident involving the Malaysian National occur?

The incident occurred during the Chinese New Year celebration on February 10, 2021.

What was the name of the person who testified before the House of Representatives panel?

The person who testified was identified as Dylan.

Where did Dylan come from before arriving in the Philippines?

Dylan came to the Philippines from Dubai after his old company moved to the Philippines.

What was the reason Dylan was initially in Balu Land in Bamban?

Dylan was invited by a friend to celebrate the Chinese New Year at Balu Land in Bamban.

What did Balu officials tell Dylan he had to do to avoid working there?

Balu officials told Dylan he would have to work there unless he could pay off the money used to buy him.

How long did Dylan have to work to pay off his 'debt' according to the officials?

Dylan was told he needed to work for at least half a year to pay off the debt.

How did Dylan manage to seek help after being held captive?

Dylan was able to seek help by using his company phone to contact his relatives in Malaysia, who then informed the Malaysian Embassy.

What action did the Malaysian Embassy take after being informed about Dylan's situation?

The Malaysian Embassy relayed the information to the Philippine authorities.

What was the outcome of the raid on the POGO hub in Bamban on March 13?

At least 300 Filipinos and almost 500 foreigners were rescued from the POGO hub in Bamban due to alleged human trafficking involvement.

Who is conducting the probe on the POGOs?

The House panel is conducting the probe on the POGOs upon the instruction of Speaker Martin G. Rales.

What is the role of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission in this case?

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission spokesperson, Winston John Kaso, released Dylan's story after the demolition.