The chief of the Pasay City Police and 26 of his subordinates were relieved from their posts after authorities raided a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (Pogo) hub that was allegedly housing prostitution dens near a police sub-station.
Col. Froilan Uy, chief of police in Pasay City; Pasay police Sub-Station 1 commander Capt. Criz Antonio Cataluña; and 25 non-commissioned officers face an investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for failing to detect the illegal activities allegedly happening at a six-storey Pogo building near Pasay police Sub-Station 1 on the corner of Williams and Harrison Streets.
"They will be investigated for possible neglect of duty because this Pogo establishment has been operating for quite sometime already. How come they did not detect the presence of illegal activities in the area?" PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said on Friday, Nov. 3.
"If something's going on there within your knowledge and you did not do something, then you will be charged for neglect of duty. Remember that in the PNP, we have a one-strike policy," Fajardo added.
The relief of Uy, Cataluña, and other Pasay cops were approved by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) regional director Police Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
Uy was replaced by Police Col. Mario Mayanes while Cataluña was succeeded by Maj. Christel Carlo Villanueva.
The Pogo hub was raided by joint units from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) on Oct. 27.
The raid on the establishment led to the alleged discovery of torture and viewing chambers, as well as massage parlors where prostitution activities were supposedly being carried out.
More than 700 Filipinos and foreigners working at the Pogo hub were rescued by the authorities during the raid. They were suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
Following the raid, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. ordered an investigation on the Pasay City Police and Sub-Station 1 as he believe it would be "impossible" for the cops to be completely unaware of the illegal activities happening in their surroundings.