3 Cops Relieved for Tampering with CCTV Cameras During Manila POGO Raid

November 6, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

Three officers from the Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) have been removed from their posts after an internal investigation into their actions during a high-profile raid at an alleged scam hub in Manila. The officers were accused of tampering with a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera during the post-raid investigation on October 31, 2024.

The raid, which took place two days earlier on October 29, targeted a suspected Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility located inside the Century Peak Tower in Manila. According to a PNA report, the officers in question covered and moved a CCTV camera positioned in a hallway of the building to conceal their actions. The officers were reportedly walking shirtless due to the extreme heat inside the building, which had no air conditioning, and the elevator was out of service, forcing them to walk up to the 23rd floor where the POGO operation was located.

The ACG’s chief, Major General Ronnie Francis Cariaga, confirmed the removal of the three officers from their posts and ordered a thorough probe into the incident. He expressed concern for the well-being of the police officers but emphasized that any misconduct within the force would not be tolerated.

“The PNP ACG is concerned about the welfare of the police officers, but we take this incident very seriously and will not tolerate such actions. Sanctions will be imposed if these police officers are found liable,” Cariaga was quoted as saying in the PNA report.

The officers are now facing administrative proceedings and are under the jurisdiction of the Personnel Holding and Accounting Section (PHAS) of the ACG. The investigation into the incident continues, as authorities seek to determine the full extent of any potential wrongdoing.

The raid on the Century Peak Tower was part of a broader operation targeting illegal gambling and phasing out POGO activities by the end of 2024. According to reports, the building housed a POGO operation, a type of online gambling business often associated with various forms of illegal activity, including scamming. The authorities discovered that the operation was masquerading as a legitimate business process outsourcing (BPO) firm, designed to deceive local authorities and the public.

This raid was one of several recent operations aimed at cracking down on such illegal activities. Just days after the Century Peak Tower raid, on October 31, a separate operation led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the PNP Special Action Force, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) resulted in the shutdown of Central One Bataan PH, Inc. in Bagac, Bataan. The operation, which was carried out under a search warrant issued by a court in Malolos, Bulacan, revealed that Central One was also a scam and gaming hub posing as a legitimate BPO company.

NCRPO Chief Denies Claims of Extortion

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Major General Sidney Hernia has found himself facing allegations of extortion along with 14 other officers, although he has firmly denied the accusations. In a statement, Hernia called the allegations “absurd and unfounded,” and he urged his accusers to present their claims in the proper legal forum.

“I will not tolerate any wrongdoing within our ranks, and I fully support a transparent investigation into these allegations,” Hernia said. “The NCRPO remains committed to fighting criminality and protecting the public from fraudulent activities. We welcome the opportunity to clear our names and demonstrate the integrity of our actions.”

The accusations against Hernia and the other officers were reportedly made in connection with their involvement in the Central One operation, which the PAOCC later disowned, calling the operation “flawed” due to the controversial release of foreign suspects. Despite the controversy, Hernia and the NCRPO stand by the lawfulness of their actions during the raid.