The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) uniforms found by authorities inside a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility in Porac, Pampanga could have been used as props and are not necessarily indicative that spies are operating in the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday, June 11.
Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, allayed public fears as he vowed that the military has coordinated with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) to determine why Chinese military uniforms were among those seized during a raid in a POGO firm last week.
“[I]t is important to note that POGO operations have been known to engage in various illegal activities, including online scams. The presence of Chinese military uniforms may likely be used as props in these illicit online transactions,” Padilla said.
“The limited number of PLA uniforms found suggests they are more indicative of use in deceptive activities rather than any preparation for an invasion,” she added.
Operatives of the PAOCC and Philippine National Police (PNP) implemented a search warrant inside the 10-hectare compound of the subject POGO facility in Porac town over the weekend due to allegations of human trafficking.
Authorities reportedly found cash, jewelries, illegal drugs, computer devices suspectedly used in scamming activities, and digital camouflage uniforms bearing the initials “P.L.A”, raising suspicions that People’s Liberation Army soldiers from China are posing as POGO employees.
“We are fully cooperating with PAOCC's ongoing investigation to clarify this matter,” Padilla said.
“We do not want to cause unnecessary panic. Rest assured, the AFP is committed to protecting the people and securing the state,” she noted.
The PAOCC operation was held in connection with another POGO firm that was also raided and shut down in Bamban, Tarlac in March, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).