Complaint filed vs. PAOCC spox over slapping incident

Winston Casio (PNA photo)

MANILA, Philippines – An employee of the business process outsourcing firm which was raided by members of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), filed a complaint against its spokesperson for slapping him twice, which was caught on CCTV.

The 54-year-old employee filed a slander by deed complaint against Winston Casio before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Balangan City, Bataan.

“Ako po ay pinagbintangan ng walang basehan, minaltrato, tinakot at pinagsasampal ng respondent. May isang tauhan siya na lumapit sa akin, sabi niya binabastos mo kami. Dumating na nga itong si Mr. Casio, bigla na lang niya akong parang ia-attempt na suntukin,” said the complainant, who works as aircon technician of Central One Bataan PH Incorporated at Centropark, Bagac, Bataan.

(I was accused without basis, maltreated, harassed, and slapped by the respondent. One of his staffers approached me and said I was disrespectful to him. Then, Mr. Casio emerged and acted as if he was about to punch me).

The facility was raided by authorities last October 31 for allegedly being involved in online scamming activities.

Following the raid, a video went viral showing Casio slapping a worker thrice.

Meanwhile, Casio was relieved from his post while investigations were ongoing into the incident.

Casio has already apologized over the incident in several media interviews.

The complainant said Casio’s staff accused him of flashing a dirty finger and disrespecting authorities.

“Pinatayo niya ako sa pamamagitan ng pag utos sa kanyang mga tauhan at pinapasok sa loob ng clinic. Doon, patuloy niya po akong pinagsabihan na wag ko daw pong babastusin silang mga taga gobyerno. Pinapili din po niya ako kung kakasuhan daw po ako o tatanggap na lang ng sampal. Maya maya, sa harap ng anim na tauhan ng PAOCC na pawang nakabantay, sinampal po ako ng respondent ng tatlong beses,” the complainant said.

(He made me stand up by ordering his men, and I was brought inside the clinic. There, he continued telling me not to disrespect government officials. He also gave me a choice: to be charged with a case or just accept a slap. Moments later, in front of six PAOCC personnel who were all watching, the respondent slapped me three times.)

He added that another PAOCC officer, which he could not identify, also punched him thrice after he stepped out of the clinic.

“Masakit po ang pagkakasuntok sa akin na nagdulot pa po sa akin ng pagtatae,”he added.

(The punch was painful and even caused me to have diarrhea.)

The PAOCC official, he said, is around 40 to 45 years old, of slight build, and with ponytailed hair.

The firm already denied being involved in illegal activities.