The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday, Sept. 12, it will investigate the reported mass graves of alleged murder victims at the raided Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga.
“It is a very serious matter that we cannot take for granted,” DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said.
“The fact that proven na ‘yung existing grave site it would not be a surprise to us kung meron pang ginawang ganun (there is an existing grave site it would not be a surprise if there are others),” Remulla said.
At the moment, Remulla admitted “wala pa tayo sa investigation ng mass graves sa Pampanga (we have no investigation yet on the mass graves in Pampanga).”
“Iyon ay iuundertake pa natin (We will undertake an investigation),” he assured.
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Spokesperson Winston Casio on Thursday revealed that during the case build-up against the POGO Lucky South 99, authorities received reports that bodies were buried in the raided compound.
“These are very serious allegations that our task group cannot take lightly. For this reason, we have decided to apply for a search warrant to calm the anxious minds of both the foreign embassies with missing nationals as well as the relatives of those who have disappeared,” Casio said.
He noted that investigators and witnesses have identified possible burial locations.