POGO WORKERS composite image from Inquirer file and stock photos
MANILA, Philippines — The Pampanga province police director and Porac police chief were relieved from their posts following the alleged “unreported killings” of foreigners on top of the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hub in the area, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Marbil said on Monday.
“There were killings there that were not adequately probed; it’s not normal for foreigners to die there, and they are now investigating why this is happening,” Marbil said in Filipino in a press conference.
READ: Marbil issues warning against police who are protecting illegal Pogos
He also bared that several police officials in Bamban were discharged for the same reason, and since both raided Pogo hubs were in Region 3, the Central Luzon police director is under investigation.
“We are looking into those who were directly involved: the provincial director and the municipality’s chief of police … We are also investigating the regional director regarding these reports that are not appropriately addressed, he added in Filipino.
Earlier, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said over 190 individuals were apprehended during the raid in the Pogo complex along Friendship Highway in Angeles City. It was conducted by PAOCC operatives and policemen.
Authorities found in the complex a document with former Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s name, People’s Liberation Army uniforms, an “outstanding service medal” for a Chinese military sergeant, military pins, and two pairs of boots.
They also found identification cards of a foreigner bearing different names.
Last March 13, authorities raided the 10-hectare compound of Zun Yuan Technology after the court issued two search warrants for alleged human trafficking and serious illegal detention of Pogo workers. The raid led to the rescue of 499 foreign workers.