AFP: Alleged Chinese army uniforms found in Porac POGO hub are likely 'props'

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday allayed the concern of the public regarding the supposed uniforms of the Chinese military discovered in the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga, saying they were probably only used as props.

AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla explained that this was possible as POGO operations are known to engage in various illegal activities, including online scams.

“The presence of Chinese military uniforms may likely be used as props in these illicit online transactions,” she said.  

"The limited number of PLA (People's Liberation Army) uniforms found suggests they are more indicative of use in deceptive activities rather than any preparation for an invasion."

One of the seized digital camouflage uniforms found in the POGO compound has buttons with the initials of “P.L.A.”, which authorities suspect may stand for the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the armed organization of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the principal military force of the People's Republic of China.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said it will investigate if there were Chinese military personnel in the country possibly posing as POGO employees.

Despite this, Padilla said the AFP does not want to cause unnecessary panic among the public.

“Rest assured, the AFP is committed to protecting the people and securing the state. We are fully cooperating with PAOCC's ongoing investigation to clarify this matter,” she added.

Meanwhile, the AFP also looking into the possibility that the uniforms were being used by POGO operations as props.

"What is happening is there is an increase in the monitored unusual incidents perpetuated by the presence of Chinese nationals, without saying yet these are risk to national security what we have seen are violations of simple or rather simple common crimes,” said Navy Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad in a 24 Oras report by Chino Gaston on Thursday.

The POGO hub in the Porac town was raided last week, and authorities have rescued there several torture and kidnapping victims. Authorities reported that a woman was tortured and sold online for sexual services in the POGO hub.

Authorities also discovered an alleged torture room and evidence of "love scam" operations inside the said POGO hub.

Investigation into the illegal activities that transpired in the 10-hectare compound with over 40 buildings is still ongoing.

The police chief of Porac, Pampanga was relieved from his post amid the investigation into the alleged “scam farm” inside the POGO hub, 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. —KG/RF, GMA Integrated News