The Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) will investigate a burial site near a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) company in Bolac, Batangas Province, where foreign bodies are allegedly buried.
In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio revealed that their witness disclosed the burial site near Lucky South 99.
Casio said, "We are now applying for a new search warrant for the courtyard of Lucky South 99, as our new witness has pointed out a location where they claim several foreign bodies are buried."
Casio mentioned that they would apply for the search warrant within this week.
Casio stated that they had already visited the area last week guided by a witness.
"We went there last week, they showed it to us. But we said... let's not dig yet. Even though we have secured the place, let's not dig, let's apply for a search warrant first," he said.
In June, authorities raided the POGO center, rescuing about 158 citizens from China, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
Evidence of torture and kidnapping was also found within the 10-hectare courtyard.
Mayor Suar
Meanwhile, Casio mentioned that they are also investigating the alleged connections between Suar City (located in Bongasinan Province) Mayor Liseldo "Dong" Calugue and the dismissed Mayor of Tarlac City, Banban Guo Huaping.
"This is also a subject our special task force is investigating," said Dr. Winston Casio, spokesperson for the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
When asked if the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission was also investigating the alleged connections between the two and a possible POGO center in Suar City, he made the above remarks.
Casio stated that the special task force is composed of prosecutors, financial investigators from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
"Because his name has been repeatedly mentioned, he has become a subject of investigation. Therefore, a part of the special task force is examining whether we have sufficient evidence to take action and to record this matter in the formal investigation," he said.
As of publication, GMA News Online has reached out to Calugue on Facebook for comments but has not yet received a response.
At the Senate hearing on Monday (September 9), Guo Jian claimed she had no romantic relationship with Calugue, stating they were just "friends."
Due to health issues, Calugue has designated Deputy Mayor John Christopher Asinio as the acting mayor from September 9 to September 13.
He was unable to attend the Senate hearing on September 5 due to dengue fever.
