THREE officials from the Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) have been relieved of their duties following a raid on an alleged scam hub inside Century Peak Tower in Manila on October 29.
ACG chief Maj. Gen. Ronnie Francis Cariaga announced the immediate dismissal and investigation of the officers, citing alleged tampering of the building’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras during a post-raid investigation on October 31.
Reports indicate that the three officers covered and moved the CCTV cameras in the hallway to avoid being seen while walking around without clothes due to the extreme heat inside the building.
The raiding team was forced to walk up to the 23rd floor, where the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub was located, after the building’s elevator and air conditioning were deliberately shut down.
According to Cariaga, the three officers will face administrative proceedings under the jurisdiction of the ACG’s Personnel Holding and Accounting Section (PHAS).
The raid on Century Peak Tower took place two days before the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), led by Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, along with the PNP Special Action Force and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, shut down Central One Bataan PH, Inc. and CebtroPark in Bagac, Bataan. This action was based on a search warrant issued by a Malolos, Bulacan court.
The PAOCC declared Central One a scam and gaming hub operating under the guise of a business process outsourcing firm.
Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia vehemently denied allegations of extortion leveled against him and 14 other officials, calling them “baseless and unfounded.” Hernia stated that the NCRPO is prepared to address these allegations in the appropriate forum.
