Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 30) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday challenged a supposed former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) to “name names” after making claims of human trafficking allegedly carried out by some members of the police force.
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“Siguro she should start naming names. These people that she will be naming can defend themselves, otherwise ‘yung 227,000 PNP, lahat kami suspect,” PNP Chief General Rodolfo Azurin said in a press briefing.
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[Translation: Maybe she should start with naming names. These people that she will be naming can defend themselves, otherwise the 227,000 PNP, we are all suspects.]
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Azurin is pertaining to supposed POGO operator Ruth Abalos Pomposelli who claimed that some Chinese employees were being snatched from their workplace and sold to illegal POGOs for ₱500,000.
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In a separate briefing last Saturday, Pomposelli alleged operatives from the PNP Women and Children Protection Center, backed by police officers from Las Piñas, raided their building in October last year.
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According to Pomposelli, the police officers then went into their offices and took 72 Chinese workers.
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Azurin, however, said the operation was done in 2021 to rescue Chinese and Filipino workers.
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The police chief said the allegation is unfair to the PNP as it taints the reputation of its members.
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In fact, Pompeselli was also charged for illegally operating a POGO business, Azurin said.
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