49 Bamban Cops Relieved Amid POGO Probe
49 Bamban Cops Relieved Amid POGO Probe. In a significant development, 49 police officers assigned to the Bamban Municipal Police Station in Tarlac province have been relieved from their duties. This move comes as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) operating within the town.
During a press briefing held at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo announced that the officers in question will be reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit of the Police Regional Office-3 (PRO-Central Luzon).
Reassignment and Replacement
To maintain law and order in Bamban, officers from the PRO-3 1st and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Companies, as well as personnel from nearby Tarlac City and the towns of Concepcion and Capas, will take over the responsibilities of the relieved officers.
Col. Fajardo emphasized that the relieved officers will undergo a rigorous program known as the Focused Reformation and Reorientation for Police Officers (FORM). This program will be conducted at the PNP Training Service School for Values and Leadership in Subic, Zambales, aiming to instill better values and leadership qualities among the officers.
Background of the Investigation
The decision to relieve the officers follows a significant raid on March 13, where law enforcement authorities targeted the POGO establishment, Zun Yuan Technology Inc. The raid led to the earlier relief of the town’s chief of police, highlighting the PNP’s commitment to accountability and integrity within its ranks.
Col. Fajardo reiterated that this is not an isolated incident. The PNP has a history of relieving officers, including commanders, who are implicated in illegal activities, neglect of duty, or serious irregularities in their performance. Immediate supervisors, including chiefs of police, are also held accountable under this stringent policy.
Suspension of Municipal Officials
In a related development, the Office of the Ombudsman has imposed a six-month preventive suspension on Guo and two other municipal officials. This suspension is linked to graft charges filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), alleging that Guo permitted the operation of POGOs within the municipality.
The Ombudsman found sufficient grounds to suspend Guo, Edwin Ocampo, and Adenn Sigua, citing strong evidence of their involvement in grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and gross neglect of duty. Ocampo serves with the Municipal Business Permits and Licensing Office, while Sigua is a municipal legal officer.
Conclusion
The relief of the 49 Bamban police officers and the suspension of municipal officials underscore the Philippine government’s commitment to tackling illegal activities and maintaining the integrity of its institutions.
The ongoing investigation and the reformation programs are expected to enhance the accountability and professionalism within the PNP and other governmental bodies involved in this case.