MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said that the more than P300 million in cash seized during separate operations against Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs in Las Piñas City and Pampanga is all accounted for and in police custody.
PNP spokesperson and information chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo made the assurance after reports circulated alleging that the seized cash had gone missing.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Fajardo said the multi-million-peso amount is under police custody and heavily guarded but emphasized that the police are ready to comply with any court order regarding its proper disposal.
“There is no truth to the malicious reports that the money is missing. These are considered fruits of the crime, so the case is pending, and the PNP would comply with the court as to the proper disposal of these seized items. If the court orders that these should be turned over to the Department of Justice, the PNP is more than willing to do so. If the court issues orders to return the money, the PNP will comply,” Fajardo told reporters.
Fajardo said misinformation is possibly intended to muddle the issue of the anti-illegal POGO operation in Malate, Manila, last month.
“The money is intact. It just so happens that there are efforts to muddle the issue of our legitimate operation against Vertex Technologies,” she said.
According to the PNP report, P187.82 million was seized during the operation at the Clark Freeport POGO hub in May of last year, while P117.18 million was confiscated during the operation at a POGO hub in Las Piñas City in July of the same year.
Meanwhile, the Vertex Technologies operation last month became controversial due to various allegations of wrongdoing by policemen. The heads of the National Capital Region Police Office and the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group were administratively relieved for 10 days to facilitate an impartial investigation. (PNA)