Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stop providing police personnel serving as security agents for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
The directive to pull out of police personnel assigned to POGO VIPs will be implemented starting Saturday, Oct. 8.
“They should be informed now, para tomorrow tapos na ito,” Abalos said.
“Ang pulis ay sinuswelduhan ng gobyerno, tayo ang nagsusweldo rito eh, dapat proteksiyunan muna nila ang bayan bago ang iba,” he added.
It was mentioned in the Senate hearing for DILG’s budget that POGO are receiving more benefits from some police personnel whose salaries come from the people.
Reports that Filipinos are being kept from entering and using restrooms by POGO’s police security when they are inside also did not sit well with the senators.
“Ito ‘yung mga malakas manghawi kapag pupunta sa CR, mag-CR ang boss nila malakas manghawi. Kung protective agent ‘yan hindi ‘yan ganon ang action, hindi pang-professional ‘yan, ‘di ka haharangin,” Senator Ronald Dela Rosa pointed out.
“Ito ‘yung mga nagkukunwari naghahanapbuhay, illegal may mga armas pa,” he added.
PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said active police officers assigned to POGO are being recalled. It was instead proposed that POGO VIPs get security personnel from retired cops or soldiers.
“Nade-deplete ‘yung PNP natin securing itong mga ‘to and kailangan lang naman nila na mayroon silang direct contact sa PNP,” Azurin said.
Senator Sonny Angara also questioned the legality of firearms they carry.
“Assuming they have illegal firearms under them, if they are 30,000 that’s a militia of 30,000, ‘pag nagsama sama yan, that’s a major public order threat,” he said.
The PNP has yet to release the exact number of police personnel assigned to POGO. —Report from Eunice Samonte/KC-ag
