SIXTEEN Thai nationals allegedly doing forced labor for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) on Saturday were rescued by joint operatives in an operation in Pampanga.
Mabalacat police chief Lt. Col. Abraham Abayari, in a report to Col. Alvin Consolacion, acting police provincial director, said rescued were Hasim Komonshanok, Iamphon Anucha, Mathsee Thaweeablamlerd, Khamwisu Darunee, Bunmachu Attaphon, Winai Noito, Sompong Sukyong, Wilaiporn Khasun, Sungnum Pannipa, Khiavigit Kittipong, Yuwamongkol Therapon, Worapattananan Panupong, Chaikla Natthamut, Rachalai Mattana, Siriwan Panta and Jiang Jun, all Thai nationals.
Personnel of the Mabalacat City Police Station, Southern Police District – Special Operations Unit, Regional Special Operations Group of the National Capital Region Police Office and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group launched the rescue operation at Fontana inside Clark Freeport Zone.
The rescue stemmed from a complaint by Minister Counsellor Kriteya Lepkao of the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila that they received a report that there were Thai nationals who were being forced to work beyond their work hours but were not receiving overtime pay from their employer.
According to the Thai nationals, their passports were being held at Pearl Plaza in Manila.
They will be turned over to the Thai Embassy today.
Police report said the rescued employees will not file charges against their employer as they would prefer to immediately return home to Thailand.
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