Court Withdraws Search Warrant Against Porac POGO Hub

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said on Friday that a judge has withdrawn the search warrant issued for the recent raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pampanga.

Photo: Screenshot from ANC YouTube Channel

The order was dismissed due to technicalities, as it did not specify the individuals or goods to be searched, according to PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

Authorities found evidence of torture and kidnapping at the POGO hub.

"We can’t enter the area now because the judge withdrew the search warrant that was granted to us. There was a lot of technicality and legality," Casio said.

"We pleaded with the judge to look beyond the technicality and focus on the merits. Unfortunately, she did not rule based on merit, so she reversed and denied the warrant," he added.

When asked for an opinion, Supreme Court spokeswoman Atty. Camille Ting noted that the Office of the Court Administrator is investigating and verifying the facts behind the search warrant.

Meanwhile, Casio stated that they requested a new search ruling from another court. He also stated that an internal inquiry is already underway due to worries about potential information leaks.

158 Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian nationals were arrested during the operation on Wednesday. Casio had indicated that they anticipated arresting more than 1,000 people, implying that details of the operation had been leaked.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian brought up concern about Chinese syndicates' possible impact on the country's justice systems following the recent search.

The Supreme Court has promised to investigate charges that the people controlling POGO hubs have undue influence over the court.

#POGO

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Sources/Credits: VAL, GMA Integrated News / MSN Start

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