5 more POGO workers in Pasay raid plead not guilty

Five more individuals from the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) that was raided in Pasay City in early August have pleaded not guilty before a court.

According to Atty. Gloria Quintos, the five pleaded not guilty for violation of Republic Act (RA) 8799 or the Securities Regulation Code in relation to RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 before the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court Branch 111 through video conference.

“Natapos na yung arraignment nung lima which was deferred last time and then we proceeded with the pre-trial,” Quintos, the legal counsel of 18 respondents in the case, said.

(The arraignment of the five that was deferred last time is already done and then we proceeded with the pre-trial.)

Twenty-three POGO workers were arraigned before the court last week.

This means 28 out of the 29 accused in the case have been arraigned while one is still missing.

Quintos said trial proceedings will begin on September 27, Wednesday, where the prosecution is expected to present 82 witnesses.

“Since the prosecution said they have 82 witnesses and the trial set is for next September 27, we will proceed with the initial trial,” she said.

In recommending the filing of the charges, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the National Bureau of Investigation uncovered compelling evidence that the POGO is involved in “fraudulent activities, particularly in the realms of tasking and recharging scams.”

Quintos, meanwhile, declined to comment on her missing client, only saying that the National Bureau of Investigation has explained its side.

The lawyer in late August said she was informed by authorities that her client is no longer under their custody.

A tracker team had been formed to search for the missing Chinese national. —KBK, GMA Integrated News