Retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr. denied allegations and insinuations he is involved in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) after pictures of him with some key personalities being investigated by the Senate appeared during the probe.
In a phone interview, Acorda said suspicion that he was the one being referred to by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) senior vice president Raul Villanueva should be dismissed outright as he stressed that it was under his term as PNP chief that the POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac was raided.
“I was the one who took the lead in conducting the operation in Bamban. That is to put the record straight and in doing so, there was no transaction, or negotiation that they are trying to insinuate,” said Acorda.
“I can say to anybody squarely eye to eye without flinching an eye that I am clean in connection with that Alice Guo. I have no knowledge of he escape and I did not receive any single centavo from her,” he added.
During the Senate probe on Tuesday, Sept. 4, Sen. Risa Hontiveros showed photos of Acorda along with Mindanao-based businessman Tony Yang, the brother of former presidential advised Michael Yang; Alice Guo's brother Wesley; and Sual Mayor Liseldo “Dong” Calugay.
The photos triggered speculations on social media as the alleged involvement of a former PNP chief was mentioned by Villanueva in last week’s hearing.
Villanueva later clarified that the statement he made was based on rumors within the intelligence community.
Acorda, for his part, said he was hurt by any insinuation that he benefitted from POGOs.
“With regard to the pictures which are now being used to connect me to POGOs, I never tolerated or transacted illegal activities with my friends,” said Acorda.
“All I can say is that as a Filipino, I think I did everything that I have to do in terms of peace and order and national security as a police officer in 37 years,” he added.