PAOCC probes Pasay, Lapu-lapu officials as POGO clean-up continues | ABS-CBN
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PAOCC probes Pasay, Lapu-lapu officials as POGO clean-up continues
PAOCC probes Pasay, Lapu-lapu officials as POGO clean-up continues
An alleged POGO hub was discovered at the basement of a hotel in Pasay City on Feb. 17, 2025. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News
An alleged POGO hub was discovered at the basement of a hotel in Pasay City on Feb. 17, 2025. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Wednesday said it is looking into the “possible criminal liability” of local government officials of Pasay City and Lapu-lapu City after discovering illegal POGOs in the two areas.
MANILA — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Wednesday said it is looking into the “possible criminal liability” of local government officials of Pasay City and Lapu-lapu City after discovering illegal POGOs in the two areas.
Several South Korean POGO workers were found hiding in the basement of the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City earlier this month, while several foreign workers were rescued from a hotel in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu last year.
Several South Korean POGO workers were found hiding in the basement of the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City earlier this month, while several foreign workers were rescued from a hotel in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu last year.
“We are taking a look at the criminal liability of local government unit officials, primarily those involved in the issuances of permits,” PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said in a Malacañang press conference.
“We are taking a look at the criminal liability of local government unit officials, primarily those involved in the issuances of permits,” PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said in a Malacañang press conference.
“Usually kapabayaan ito… Ang LGU ay isa sa may pinakamalaking visitorial at regulatory powers kaya hindi sapat na sabihin ng alkalde na hindi niya alam na ilegal yung kaniyang mga nasasakupan,” he said.
“Usually kapabayaan ito… Ang LGU ay isa sa may pinakamalaking visitorial at regulatory powers kaya hindi sapat na sabihin ng alkalde na hindi niya alam na ilegal yung kaniyang mga nasasakupan,” he said.
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Most of the raided POGOs in Metro Manila were located in the southern part of the capital region, namely in Makati, Pasay and Parañaque, the PAOCC official said.
Most of the raided POGOs in Metro Manila were located in the southern part of the capital region, namely in Makati, Pasay and Parañaque, the PAOCC official said.
“The southern parts of Metro Manila have been identified as the location of these POGOs… [but] we do not want to politicize the matter because this is not a political matter,” he said.
“The southern parts of Metro Manila have been identified as the location of these POGOs… [but] we do not want to politicize the matter because this is not a political matter,” he said.
“This is a law enforcement problem,” he said.
“This is a law enforcement problem,” he said.
Casio refused to divulge details of the ongoing case investigation, but said that they are also investigating hotel workers, where POGO workers were found.
Casio refused to divulge details of the ongoing case investigation, but said that they are also investigating hotel workers, where POGO workers were found.
The PAOCC earlier filed criminal and civil cases against former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and other officials linked to operations of the mega POGO compound in the sleepy agricultural town.
The PAOCC earlier filed criminal and civil cases against former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and other officials linked to operations of the mega POGO compound in the sleepy agricultural town.
Porac Mayor Jing Capil and 10 other officials from Pampanga are also facing graft charges for their supposed ties to illegal gambling operations.
Porac Mayor Jing Capil and 10 other officials from Pampanga are also facing graft charges for their supposed ties to illegal gambling operations.
As of February 14, 12 cases have been filed against POGO personalities, while 8 other cases are undergoing preliminary investigation, based on data from the PAOCC.
As of February 14, 12 cases have been filed against POGO personalities, while 8 other cases are undergoing preliminary investigation, based on data from the PAOCC.
The agency said it is preparing 13 other cases linked to illegal gambling operations in the Philippines.
The agency said it is preparing 13 other cases linked to illegal gambling operations in the Philippines.
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