Alleged Chinese army uniforms found in raided Porac POGO hub

Alleged uniforms of the Chinese military were discovered in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm in Porac, Pampanga that was recently raided by authorities.

According to Jonathan Andal’s 24 Oras report on Monday, one of the seized digital camouflage uniforms have buttons bore 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.

Last week, the PAOCC implemented a search warrant against the POGO hub based on a complaint of alleged human trafficking happening inside the 10-hectare establishment. It was also 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. Also seized in the compound are equipment used for scamming activities, and skimpy female outfits.

Porac mayor issues denials

Porac Mayor Jaime Capil denied accusations he was a protector of the illegally operating POGO firm.

“I condemn these heinous activities. Hindi po natin papayagan sa ating bayan, habang ako po ay mayor, na magamit ang ating bayan sa mga di tamang gawain,” Capil said in a mix of English and Kapampangan.

(I condemn these heinous activities. We don’t tolerate illegal activities in our town.)

“Parang sinasabi nila na nagiging protector tayo ng mga POGO. Paano tayo magiging protector eh 'yung simple violation na puwede na nating palampasin, pero hindi natin pinalagpas,” the mayor said.

(They’re accusing us of protecting POGO. How can we be protectors when we don't let slip even the simple violations, which can be tolerated.)

Capil likewise denied he owns the land where the POGO firm stands.

“Bago po pa po ako naging mayor, nakatayo na 'yung mga building doon at hindi 'yun sa atin at hindi tayo 'yung may-ari nung lupa, for your information. Nakukuwestiyon din 'yung mga building doon, hindi raw ba natin nakita? Hindi raw ba natin nakita nung pinapatayo? Fake news na naman po sinasabi nila,” he added.

(Before I became mayor, the building was already there and I don’t own the land.  There are also questions surrounding the buildings, whether we saw them being constructed? That’s fake news.)

Further, Capil said the compound secured building permits for its establishments but the municipal government was barred from entering its premises for a supposed inspection on May 3.

“POGO per se is a legitimate business. 'Yung legitimate business, yan po 'yung aming inaprubahan.  Kung hindi namin aaprubahan, madedemanda kami, ma-Ombudsman kami, dereliction of duty, abuse of authority, at iba pang kasong ikaso sa amin,” he added.

(POGO per se is a legitimate business. That’s a legitimate business and that was what we approved. If we did not approve, we could be sued before the Ombudsman with several cases.)

Over the weekend, authorities nabbed an alleged Chinese fugitive in the POGO firm believed to be working as one of the torturers of the employees and kidnapping victims.

Police found a mobile phone on the suspect containing photos of a suspected cadaver, victims of torture, PAOCC Chief Gilbert Cruz, and several bundles of Philippine 1,000 peso bills.

PAOCC said the arrested suspect is among the workers who had escaped the raid in the POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac. He was also identified as a fugitive criminal from China who has a history of violent crimes.—RF, GMA Integrated News