Porac police chief removed over POGO scam farm

The police chief of Porac town in Pampanga was relieved from his post as investigations continue into an alleged 'scam farm' within a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub that was raided this week.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the investigation will focus on why the illegal operation went undetected by local police forces and whether the municipal government allowed it to operate without proper permits since 2023.

During Tuesday's raid, 158 foreign nationals primarily from China, along with Vietnamese, Malaysian, Burmese, and Korean citizens, were rescued from the premises, together with 29 Filipinos.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) denied Lucky South 99’s application to operate as an internet gaming establishment on May 20, highlighting that the POGO had been illegally operating since late last year.

A Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) report revealed that agents rescued victims from a complex with 46 buildings and a golf course after receiving reports of sexual trafficking and torture within the facility.

The investigation also includes verifying whether information on the raid was leaked, leading to the escape of many employees and officials of the facility.