The chief of police of the Philippines’ Pasay City has been relieved of duty, alongside some 26 other police officers, in an investigation into a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) accused of human trafficking and illegal operations which authorities raided last month.
According to the country’s official news agency, the police director Colone Froilan Uy, Substation Commander Captain Criz Antonio Cataluña and 25 other officers are facing possible neglect of duty charges, according to a Philippine National Police spokesperson.
“If this POGO has existed for a long time and there are illegal activities, remember, the PNP has a one-strike policy. If something has been happening there within your knowledge and you did nothing, then you will be charged with neglect of duty,” stated the PNP spokesperson.
On October 27th, authorities raided a POGO hub operating in Pasay City, finding “an abundance of evidence pointing to sex trafficking”.
During the raid, some 731 workers were rescued from a massage parlor in the POGO hub.
