PNP denies DOJ claim it bungled Pogo raid

POGO HUB- Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime group inspect a gaming room, one of many at an alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation hub in Almanza Uno, Las Pinas city on tuesday, where around 2000 workers were rescued, 1,525 of them Filipnos, while the remaining victims came from China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Taiwan among others. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

The Philippine National Police has denied the allegation of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla that it bungled the June 27 raid on a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub in Las Piñas City, which could jeopardize the case against some suspects.

Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the PNP, said that contrary to Remulla’s claim, the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group coordinated with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, headed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), during the raid on Pogo service provider Xinchuang Network Technology Inc.

“And in fact, prosecutors were present during the initial stages of the implementation of search warrants,” she told ANC on Tuesday.

Five Chinese nationals were arrested and underwent inquest proceedings on June 30 for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

But the suspects tagged as the Pogo maintainers were ordered released on July 3, after prosecutors remanded the complaint in favor of a preliminary investigation.

Remulla earlier castigated the PNP, saying that it did not heed the DOJ’s advice to conduct a case buildup before the raid to ensure there would be enough evidence against the suspects.

40th Pagcor anniversary

This developed as Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian expressed belief that last week’s rescue of nearly 2,800 Pogo workers during the June 27 raid would finally convince the government to shut down the Chinese-run online gaming centers in the country.

“This is so far the worst human trafficking incident in our country,” Gatchalian said at the Kapihan sa Senado.

A total of 1,534 Filipino workers and 1,239 foreigners believed to be trafficking victims, as well as seven Chinese and Taiwanese fugitives, were rescued during the police operation that lasted for several days.

President Marcos, however, made no mention of Pogo operations when he spoke at the 40th anniversary of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), which issues licenses to Pogos, in Pasay City on Tuesday.

“Let this anniversary therefore be a call to the future, a future where Pagcor is at the front and center in reshaping the gaming landscape with responsible practices, unwavering integrity and a steadfast commitment to combating illicit activities,” he said. INQ