Members of the Southern Police District-Special Operations Unit (SPD-SOU) rescued Thai nationals who were allegedly forced to work at Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) company in Pampanga.
SPD director Gen. Kirby John Brion Kraft identified the rescued victims as Hasim Komonchanok, Iamphon Anucha, Mathsee Thaweeblamlerd, Khamwisu Darunee, Bunmachu Attaphon, Winai Noito, Sompong Sukyong, Wilaiporn Khasun, Sungnum Pannipa, Khaivigit Kittipong, Yuwamongkol Therapon, Worapattananan Panupong, Chaikla Natthamut, Rachala Mattana, Siriwan Panta and Jiang Jun.
The victims were rescued on Oct. 15 at about 4 a.m. in Fontana Clark Freezone, Pampanga.
He said the rescue operation was conducted after Minister Counselor Kritreya Lepkao of the Royal Thai Embassy sent a letter to the Philippine National Police on Oct. 13 about Thai nationals who were allegedly being forced to work beyond working hours but receive no overtime pay from their employer, Shedaikeji Technology.
A rescue operation was immediately conducted by the SPD-SOU together with National Capital Region Police Office-Special Operation Group (NCRPO-SOG), Criminal Investigation Detection Group-Regional Field Unit 3 (CIDG-RFU-3), CIDG Pampanga and the Mabalacat City, Pampanga police station.
Kraft said the passport of the 16 victims were reportedly being held by their employer and a certain Ms. Pablo, representing the company, agreed to return all to the Thai Embassy on Oct. 17.
The Minister Counselor, Ms. Lepkao, of the embassy told the police that the victims, who were turned over to the embassy, said they do not want to file charges against their employer.
Lepkao said the victims wanted to return to their country as soon as possible.