Bodies of Foreign Nationals Allegedly Buried Near Porac POGO Hub

September 11, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is set to investigate a reported burial site of foreign nationals near the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga. PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio announced that they are applying for a new search warrant for the compound following tips from new witnesses.

“Nag a-apply kami ngayon ng panibagong search warrant doon sa compound ng Lucky South 99 dahil yung aming mga witnesses na nakuha, mga bagong witnesses, may itinuturong mga lugar kung saan daw inilibing ang mga patay na katawan ng ilang mga foreign national. (We are now applying for a new search warrant for the compound of Lucky South 99 because our new witnesses are pointing to a location where they claim the bodies of several deceased foreign nationals were buried),” Casio was cited by GMA Network as saying in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

He added that they visited the area last week, guided by the witnesses. “Pinuntahan namin last week at itinuro nila. Kaya lang sabi namin… huwag tayo mag hukay. Kumbaga, kahit nasa atin na ‘yung custody, wag tayong mag hukay, kumuha tayo ng warrant,” Casio explained. (We visited last week and they pointed it out to us. However, we said… let’s not dig. Even if we already have custody, let’s not dig, let’s get a warrant instead.)

The raid on Lucky South 99 in June led to the rescue of approximately 158 Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian nationals. Authorities also uncovered evidence of torture and kidnapping within the 10-hectare compound. Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty disclosed that the prosecution is also looking to attach criminal and civil forfeiture charges to the complaints. These additional accusations would potentially pave the way for the government to seize assets used to human trafficking.

In related developments, Casio confirmed that the PAOCC is investigating alleged connections between Sual, Pangasinan Mayor Liseldo “Dong” Calugay and dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. “Subject na rin po ng imbestigasyon ngayon nung aming task group,” Casio stated. (That is subject to the investigation of our task group)

The task group includes prosecutors, financial investigators from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and PAOCC. Casio noted that due to repeated mentions of Calugay’s name, he has become a person of interest. The group is evaluating whether there is sufficient evidence for formal action.

During a Senate hearing on September 9, 2024, Guo denied having a romantic relationship with Calugay, describing him as merely a “friend.”

Meanwhile, Calugay has appointed Vice Mayor John Christopher Arcinue as acting mayor from September 9 to September 13 due to ongoing medical concerns. Calugay was unable to attend the Senate hearing on September 5 due to dengue fever.