The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief has announced stricter measures against moonlighting police officers after several incidents involving security forces personnel caught working as security for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
According to the Philippine News Agency, Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil emphasized the need for accountability, directing the national police Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) and the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to conduct thorough personnel audits.
The official also underscored the importance of the command responsibility principle, where immediate commanders will be held accountable for their subordinates’ actions.
This directive follows recent incidents, including the arrest of Staff Sgt. Rafael Boco, who was moonlighting as a security escort, and two Special Action Force commandos involved in a fight while moonlighting as security for a Chinese national linked to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).
Marbil reiterated that police officers are prohibited from holding other jobs during office hours, with exceptions for police lawyers and doctors who have received authorization from the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
POGOs are being scrutinized and are again in hot water due to the recent case of “POGO Mayor” Alice Guo, with accusations of criminality against the official being voiced by politicians including Risa Hontiveros.
Also recently, Philippine Senator Sherwin Gathchalian, a strong opponent of offshore gaming operators in the country, told AGB that no background checks are being conducted on individuals who set up offshore gaming operations (IGLs, formerly known as POGOs) or their employees. The Senator indicated that “the minimum requirement for PAGCOR is just capitalization […] if you’re incorporated, you fulfill the minimum qualification”.
