This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
‘No wrong can right another wrong; thus, I apologize for reacting as I did despite the provocation that we experienced during the raid,’ says Winston Casio
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio has been suspended pending an administrative investigation into an incident in Bataan where he was seen in a video slapping a worker in a hub that they raided last week.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin has confirmed on Tuesday, November 5, that Casio has been relieved while he is under administrative investigation. Casio himself confirmed it, telling reporters: “I apologize to the Filipino people who have put their trust in our agency.”
PAOCC and its law enforcement partners from the Philippine National Police raided Central One on October 31, a gaming hub that they suspect to be running scamming activities, and which is authorized under the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB). It is not a POGO (Philippine offshore gaming operator) technically, as POGOs are licenses given by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor). Freeports and economic zones are loosely outside Pagcor’s jurisdiction.
After the Bataan raid, a CCTV went viral on social media showing Casio slapping a Filipino worker. Before this footage was released, another video surfaced showing Casio in what looked like a tense confrontation with another worker in the hub’s common area.
Casio said that the operatives were provoked, and were on the receiving ends of a dirty finger and insults.
“No wrong can right another wrong; thus, I apologize for reacting as I did despite the provocation that we experienced during the raid we conducted at Central One Bataan last October 31, 2024. I should have simply filed the necessary charges against the person who flashed the dirty finger at us and insulted our office with vitriol,” Casio said in his statement.
Casio was relieved of his position on Monday, November 4, following the incident.
Most of the workers were on their regular 9 am to 6 pm shifts when the raid began at around 3 pm on October 31, as officials initially checked the left side of the complex. Workers, both Filipino and foreign nationals, were caught off guard because this same complex was toured and showcased by its owners months before, supposedly to show that they were different from illegal POGOs.
While the operatives conducted their inspections, and workers were made to stay in common areas, a Filipino worker allegedly berated authorities.
“I apologize to my principals, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, the Chairman of PAOCC; and to Undersecretary Gilbert DC Cruz, PAOCC Executive Director. I have let them down,” Casio said.
Over the weekend before the suspension, Casio released a strongly worded statement against the Philippine National Police – National Capital Regional Police Office and Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) over the latter’s raid of a hub in Malate on October 29. Casio was strongly reacting to some news reports attributing the raid to PAOCC.
Representatives from the said hub have since come out to condemn the raid. Casio said this was a botched raid that PAOCC was “never consulted nor informed” about.
“Please do not associate PAOCC with flawed operations. Moreover we never said that the raided POGO is the mother of all POGOs,” Casio said over the weekend.
PNP has also relieved three ACG personnel over the Malate raid as CCTV footage showed partially unclothed cops walking in the hub, and some turning the cameras away from them. PNP in a statement said the building’s air conditioning units were off and thus was too hot, prompting cops to remove their shirts “creating an unprofessional appearance when viewed on CCTV cameras.”
“This situation led them to twist and cover only the hallway cameras, while the cameras in the workstations where the devices were located remained operational,” said the PNP.
By Monday, November 5, the video of Casio has also surfaced prompting PAOCC chief Cruz to issue a memorandum directing Casio to explain himself within 24 hours and informing him that he is “relieved of your responsibilities as spokesperson for PAOCC effective immediately and until the completion of the investigation.”
PAOCC has been behind some of the biggest POGO raids, and which eventually resulted in an all-out ban.
“As I embark on a period of reflection during this most humbling time, I subject myself to whatever administrative measures that the Commission will impose. No matter where this episode will lead me, I will continue to serve the Filipino people in whatever capacity,” said Casio. – Rappler.com
