Entire Bamban police force sacked amid POGO probe

MANILA, Philippines — Following the suspension of Mayor Alice Guo by the Office of the Ombudsman, the entire police force of Bamban, Tarlac was sacked on Monday amid an investigation into the illegal activities of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in the municipality.

All 49 officers of the Bamban police station were relieved from their posts. They were transferred to the regional personnel holding and administrative unit of the Central Luzon police, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo.

The sacked police officers were replaced by personnel of the provincial mobile force company, Tarlac City police and municipal police stations in Tarlac.

Fajardo said Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. led the turnover rites at the Bamban police on Monday.

The relieved police officers are being investigated to determine if they committed lapses after failing to monitor the reported criminal activities in the POGO facility, Fajardo said.

They will also undergo a focused reformation and reorientation seminar at the PNP Training Service Annex School in Subic, she said.

Fajardo said police officers who are handling cases, especially those involving illegal drugs, are allowed to attend court hearings even if they were relieved.

Apart from lapses, Fajardo said they also want to find out if the police officers received favors from Guo in exchange for turning a blind eye on the POGO’s criminal activities.

“We have to be clear on this. Although we get support from local government units, the performance of our duty should not be compromised,” she said.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is eyeing to file charges of tax evasion and violation of securities laws against Guo.

The cases are separate from those filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) against Guo in relation to the POGO hub raid in Bamban in March.

Guo was suspended by the ombudsman following a complaint from the DILG that she issued a business permit to Zun Yuan Technology despite it having an expired license.

According to PAOCC spokesman Winston Romeo Casio, other local officials of Bamban may be