Porac police chief relieved following POGO hub raid

The police chief of Porac, Pampanga was relieved from his post amid the investigation into the alleged “scam farm” inside a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator  (POGO) hub that was raided this week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the PNP will look as to how the Porac police force failed to detect the illegal operation of the POGO hub, according to a report of Super Radyo dzBB’s Glen Juego.

Aside from this, Fajardo said the PNP will also probe the town's municipal government on grounds that the POGO hub was allowed  to operate despite having no permit since 2023.

On Tuesday, authorities implemented a search warrant against the POGO hub based on a complaint of alleged human trafficking happening inside the 10-hectare establishment.

The POGO hub was reportedly involved in various criminal activities that include human trafficking, sex trafficking, torture, kidnapping, and scamming.

A total of 158 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, were rescued during the operation.

Authorities said several more people inside the hub managed to escape after they supposedly received early warning of the impending raid.

Earlier, the entire personnel of the Bamban Municipal Police Station in Tarlac were removed from their posts after a raid in the town’s POGO hub uncovered evidence of various illegal activities.—RF, GMA Integrated News