50 cops suspended over POGO scandal in Tarlac

Fifty police personnel from Bamban, Tarlac were relieved from their posts on Tuesday amid an ongoing investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) activities.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo stated that all 50 officers will be transferred to a holding unit in Police Regional Office 3 for focused reformation and reorientation, including attending the PNP Training Service School for Values and Leadership in Subic, Zambales.

Major Jessie Domingo replaced former chief Major Perfecto de Mayo as Bamban's new police chief, while 50 replacement personnel from various units within Police Regional Office Central Luzon have taken over the relieved officers' duties.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered the preventive suspension of Mayor Alice Guo and two other town officials without pay for six months pending an ongoing investigation.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed charges against Mayor Guo, Edwin Ocampo, and Adenn Sigua for allowing illegal Pogo operations in Bamban, leading to their suspension.