Winston Casio back as PAOCC spokesperson after public apology over slapping

Metro Manila, Philippines - The spokesperson of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) - relieved of his duties by Malacañang in November for slapping a person during an offshore gaming raid - is back in office.

“I’m technically back as spokesperson, I’m director in charge for media and public relations,” said Winston Casio during a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

He said he has settled with the man he slapped. The Office of the Executive Secretary suspended Casio after his reported mistreatment of a person during a raid in Bataan.

"The agreement was: una I have to say… I had to apologize in public, in court, in an open session. I’m willing to do that kasi I need that… Kasi nung unang lumabas yung sa TV nag apologize naman agad ako," Casio explained.

[Translation: The agreement was: first, I have to say... I had to apologize in public, in court, in an open session. I’m willing to do that because I need that... Because when it first came out on TV, I immediately apologized.]

He said he also apologized to the wife of the complainant.

"At the end of the day everything ends well. I had to apologize and I am man enough to apologize to them," he said.

[Translation: At the end of the day, everything ends well. I had to apologize, and I am man enough to apologize to them.]