Philippine News Agency
Pampanga town police chief axed amid POGO probe
The police chief of Porac, Pampanga, has been relieved from his post as the Philippine National Police (PNP) investigates a raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub suspected of illegal activities.
The PNP aims to determine how the local police force failed to detect the alleged illegal operation within the POGO hub.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo stated that the commander of the Porac Municipal Police Station was removed following the raid.
Investigations are underway to understand how an unlicensed POGO, identified as Lucky South 99, operated in the town since last year, despite PAGCOR denying its application on May 22, 2024.
The PNP will also investigate the Porac municipal government for potentially allowing the POGO hub to operate without a permit.
The raid, which occurred on Tuesday, June 4, was based on a complaint of human trafficking within the 10-hectare establishment.
Authorities rescued 158 foreign nationals, predominantly Chinese, during the operation.
The POGO hub is reportedly involved in serious criminal activities including human trafficking, sex trafficking, torture, kidnapping, and scamming.
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Police Colonel Levi Hope Basilio, director of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, was relieved from his post on June 10 to ensure a fair investigation into the recent raid of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hub in Porac, Pampanga.
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All 50 police personnel of the Bamban Municipal Police Station in Tarlac have been relieved as part of an investigation into alleged neglect of duty concerning illegal POGO activities.
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Around 300 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are operating illegally in the Philippines, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
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Authorities resumed their search of the Lucky South 99 POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, after securing a new search warrant to find more victims and suspects.
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Nearly 100 of the 402 canceled Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs are reportedly still operational, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
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