PNP: Over P300-M seized in 2 POGO raids last year safe, intact
The more than P300 million cash seized during two separate operations against Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs in Las Piñas City and Pampanga are intact, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said amid reports that the money confiscated are already unaccounted.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the multi-million cash are under police custody and heavily guarded, but emphasized that the police are ready to comply with any court order as to where they would be turned over.
“There is no truth to the malicious reports that the money is missing. These are considered fruits of the crime so the case is pending and the PNP would comply with competent court as to the proper disposal of these seized evidence,” said Fajardo.
“If the court would say that these should be turned over to the Department of Justice, the PNP is more than willing to turn over these. If the court would issue orders to return the money, then the PNP will comply,” she added.
The more than P300 million were seized in two separate operations by the police following the crackdown on illegal POGOs in the country since last year.
Based on the PNP report, a total of P187,824,360 were seized during the operation at the Clark Freeport POGO hub in May Last year while a total of P117,184,461 were seized during the operation on a POGO hub in Las Piñas City in July, also last year.
Fajardo said the misinformation on the seized money at the two illegal POGO hubs are possibly meant to muddle the issue on the anti-illegal POGO operation in Malate, Manila last month.
“The money is intact. It just so happened there are efforts to muddle the issue of our legitimate operation against Vertex Technologies,” said Fajardo.
The Vertex Technology operation last month became controversial over various allegations of wrongdoings of policemen.
The heads of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) were already administratively relieved for 10 days to give way to the conduct of the investigation of the PNP regarding the allegations raised by the management of the building raided by the policemen.
As to the alleged existence of vault during the Vertex raid, Fajardo said they could not open it since it is not covered by the search warrant although the premises.