Raid resumes in Porac POGO hub

Authorities on Saturday resumed their raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga after authorities were able to get a new search warrant on Friday. 

"Kagabi kasi walang ilaw eh, kaya nagdecide na lang kami to resume today," said Usec. Gilbert Cruz, executive director, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB. 

(It was already dark last night so we just decided to resume today.)

Cruz added that the focus of this morning's search is to find if there are any more kidnapping victims who may still need rescuing inside the compound.

"Yun ang iniisip (meron pang kailangang ma-rescue), kasi nung unang araw na iraraid yan, nagtakbuhan po, so yung mga naka posas o parang bihag nila, iniwan na nila," said Cruz.

(That's what I'm thinking, someone may still need help. Because on the first day of the raid, people ran away and left those who were handcuffed and the alleged captives they left behind.)

"So yun po ang hinahanap namin ngayon," he added. 

(So, that's what we're looking for.)

Search operations at the 10-hectare, 46-building POGO compound in Porac, Pampanga continue today, led by CIDG with PNP-ACG, PAOCC, MSWDO, and Brgy Sta Cruz.

Unlike yesterday, the media are barred from joining the search this time. pic.twitter.com/f5LDEgjyTU

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) June 8, 2024

Authorities previously saw evidence of torture after they were able to rescue injured foreigners inside the compound. 

Among them is a Chinese man handcuffed to a bed frame who had multiple bruises and wounds throughout his body. 

PAOCC also reported a woman who was tortured and sold through online bidding for sexual services inside the compound.

A previous raid conducted inside the compound led to the arrest of 158 Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian nationals. Casio previously said they expected to arrest more than 1,000, but that information on the operation may have been leaked. 

Cruz, meanwhile, said that they will next try to find out who the people behind the operations are.

"Kunin namin yung mga dapat kunin, then magkakarion kami ng document examination then dun natin malalaman kung sino mga may-ari at sino mga ioncorporators," Cruz said.

(We will take what we need and conduct dicument examination. Then, we will know who the owners are and who the incorporators are.)

—VAL, GMA Integrated News