Philippine agency says town mayor cleared of POGO links but still faces graft charges

February 17, 2025

Philippine agency says town mayor cleared of POGO links but still faces graft charges

Suspended Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil remains entangled in legal trouble despite a House of Representatives quad committee certification stating he was not involved in the now-defunct Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in his town. However, local media reported that the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) maintained that Capil and other local officials are still accountable for alleged Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act violations.

PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio reiterated that the commission stands by its initial findings, which led to the filing of graft charges against Capil. This follows a certification issued by House committee chair Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on 11 February, stating that investigations found no wrongdoing on Capil’s part regarding the illegal POGO operations in Porac.

Certification as vindication

Capil, alongside the suspended councillors of Porac, held a press conference on Saturday to present the certification, seeing it as proof of their innocence. The mayor claimed that his name was not mentioned in the committee’s report, nor was any action recommended against him.

However, his political opponent, Mike Tapang, argued that the certification does not equate to legal exoneration. Tapang stressed that the quad committee hearings were conducted in aid of legislation and do not hold judicial authority. The decision on Capil’s liability rests with the courts.

Graft allegations and legal proceedings

The PAOCC, together with the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), filed a complaint against Capil, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo, seven councillors, and the head of the local business permit and licensing office. The complaint alleges that these officials knowingly allowed the operation of the POGO hub, which was later linked to human trafficking and online scams.

Evidence presented includes the absence of a Letter of No Objection since 2021, the presence of 80 Chinese workers in the area since 2020, and the approval of business permits despite significant construction on the site. The complaint further accuses Capil and other officials of failing to take appropriate action despite their awareness.

PAOCC pushes for zero POGOs by 2025

Meanwhile, the PAOCC said the agency aims to eliminate all illegal POGO operations in the country by the end of the year. Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz stated that while most large-scale POGO hubs have been dismantled, many operators have shifted to smaller-scale activities in residential and commercial spaces.

Authorities continue to crack down on these operations, with recent rescues of human trafficking victims and arrests of suspects linked to illegal POGO activities. In a recent operation in Pasay, the PAOCC rescued 34 Indonesians who were allegedly coerced into fraudulent work. Another raid led to the rescue of a Chinese national who showed visible signs of torture, with evidence suggesting a broader network of criminal activities.

The PAOCC has also pledged to alert Cambodian authorities as some operators attempt to relocate their activities. Meanwhile, families of missing persons linked to POGO operations have been urged to come forward as investigations continue into reports of forced labour and violent coercion.