Poe calls for probe into ‘human trafficking, cyber fraud operations’ of Clark firm

FILE PHOTO: Senator Grace Poe. SENATE PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe said the upper chamber should launch an inquiry into the alleged human trafficking and cyber fraud operations of a cyber marketing firm inside Pampanga’s Clark Sun Valley Hub.

Poe filed Senate Resolution No. 595 on Monday, asking that an appropriate panel investigate the company where at least a thousand employees – both foreigners and Filipinos – were rescued last week from supposed trafficking and fraudulent operations.

The investigation, she noted, should be done to stamp out human trafficking and fraudulent cyber-enabled industries in the country.

READ: ‘Human trafficking’ firm busted in Clark

“We need to uncover the true scale and roots of human trafficking in the country. This is an insidious crime that must stop,” Poe said in a statement.

According to the senator, the conduct of the inquiry will send a strong message to human traffickers that such a crime “won’t be tolerated and will be dealt with [with] the full force of the law.”

READ: 12 face raps in busted human trafficking ops at Clark

In the proposed measure, Poe cited an April 19 hearing of the Senate committees on migrant workers and women, children, family relations, and gender equality, where it was revealed that the Philippines is reportedly hosting “scam hubs” for hundreds or even thousands of trafficked foreigners to engage in cryptocurrency frauds.

“There is an urgent need to determine the supposed existence and cease the operations of these ‘scam hubs’ in the country for the protection of our citizens and foreign nationals that are being victimized by this kind of human trafficking scheme,” Poe said in her bill.

READ: PH hosts ‘scam hubs’ in condos for trafficking victims, senators learn

She also pressed the Bureau of Immigration to explain the presence of these foreign workers in the Philippines and what kind of visas they have.

“There is also a need for other law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and the Inter-Agency Council on Anti-Trafficking to intensify their operations against human trafficking of foreign nationals,” Poe said.

kga/abc