A regional police chief in Central Luzon is under investigation for accountability over illegal offshore gaming operators in his jurisdiction.
In a press briefing on Monday, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil indicated that this comes after incidents of “unreported killings” which allegedly took place in the POGO hubs, indicating such hubs were running “scam farms”.
The chief indicated that the investigation was opened as the events “were not acted upon properly”.
In addition, the official indicated that the entire roster of personnel of the Bamban, Tarlac Municipal Police Station, the chief of Police of Porac, Pampanga and the director of the Pampanga Police Provisional Office had been relieved of duty.
“Why are there foreigners dying there? […] They should look into it”.
However, the official says he did not see the police officers as “protectors” of POGOs.
Another government official indicated that authorities have found a link between the raided POGO hubs in Central Luzon.
“We are in the process of applying a warrant regarding computer data and upon completion of these processes we will give you the result of the examination of these computers and other equipment in Porac,” noted Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Maj. Gen Leo Francisco.
Yet another official indicated that, according to PAGCOR data, only 43 legal POGOs are operating in Kawit, Cavite and Metro Manila.
The area has been under public scrutiny after a raid on a POGO which authorities believe could be linked to Bamban Mayor Alice Guo. Guo has been suspended over charges of grave misconduct.
