The chief of Pasay City police and 26 other cops have been relieved from their post over possible neglect of duty on the illegal activities of a Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) hub, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday.
In a press conference, PNP spokesperson Colonel Police Jean Fajardo said a pre-charge investigation is ongoing against the concerned police personnel.
“With respect doon sa case ng ni-raid na POGOs sa Pasay, ni-relieve na po iyong 27 na personnel po including the chief of police po pending investigation,” she said.
(With respect to the case of the raided POGOs in Pasay, 27 personnel including the chief of police have been relieved pending investigation.)
“Inimbestigahan po sila for possible neglect of duty dahil nangyari nga po ito na matagal na po itong POGO establishment, how come hindi po nila na-detect iyong presence ng mga illegal activities doon sa area,” she added.
(They are being investigated for possible neglect of duty because this POGO establishment has been operating for a long time, how come they did not detect the presence of its illegal activities in the area?)
Pasay City Police chief Police Colonel Froilan Uy will be replaced by Police Colonel Mario Mayanes. The turnover will be held on Friday.
Recently, authorities discovered an alleged torture chamber in a POGO hub in Pasay City during a raid. The POGO facility was allegedly housing illegal operations like sex trafficking, love, and crypto scams.
Various torture devices were found inside a room, including heavy-duty tasers, airsoft guns, baseball bats, and a wooden club. Also seen were several handcuffs attached to a metal bar on a wall.
“’Yung mga hindi daw nagbabayad ng utang lalo kung sila ay gumamit ng mga prostitution rooms saka nung mga babae dito, ‘yung merong mga may atraso sa kanila, ‘yun ang tino-torture nila doon sa room na yun,” said Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Gilbert Cruz.
(They torture those who fail to pay their debts, especially customers of the prostitution rooms.)
Seven Filipinos and two foreign nationals who were allegedly sexually trafficked were rescued in the operation. Authorities also found 731 Filipino and foreigner workers during a search of the premises.
Six individuals including five Chinese nationals and a Filipino recruiter underwent inquest proceedings over sex trafficking charges.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
