Manila—On Thursday (September 12), Justice Minister Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that investigators will look into the mass graves found in Polac City, Bambanga Province, which are apparently linked to the operations of illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO).
Remulla said at a press conference: "Their organized crime has moved here, bringing terror, which is also why the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) refuses to continue POGO operations, as it involves social and criminal issues that we cannot accept."
"We take these mass graves very seriously; it is a severe issue that we cannot take lightly. Now that the existence of this cemetery has been confirmed, we would not be surprised if we find other criminal activities," he added.
The Justice Minister made these comments while discussing the human trafficking allegations against two heads of Polac POGO operations.
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio stated in a declaration to reporters that investigators have received reports of bodies found buried at raided locations of operators Lucky South 99 and Cyclone Company.
Casio said: "Some reports were sent through various social media platforms. Likewise, some witnesses have claimed to the organization that they personally know about these crimes."
"Last weekend, prosecutors, Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) investigators, PAOCC officials, and witnesses have identified potential burial sites," he added.
Casio mentioned that these reports are very serious and cannot be taken lightly.
"Therefore, we have decided to apply for a search warrant to ease the anxiety of the foreign embassies of missing nationals and the relatives of the missing persons," he said.
"PAOCC and the special task force's various agencies have decided to handle these reports, as we believe it is essential to investigate thoroughly. If the reports are true, we will bring the perpetrators to justice. If not, we will continue to pursue other investigative leads. PAOCC remains committed to following the direction of evidence guidelines," he said.
Meanwhile, Remulla stated that the case involving the dismissed mayor of Banban City, Tarlac Province, Alice Guo, is "more complex and delicate" than the authorities initially thought.
"She plays deep, and her strategies are complex. Perhaps she is very talented, but she is not ordinary; she is profound," he said.
Remulla mentioned that there are currently no indications of where Guo's support comes from, but he speculated it might be from prominent figures.
"I don't know, but it should be big shots. She has a lot of support, and I really don't know where these supports come from," he said.
Remulla also stated that they would investigate the allegations made by former Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Wednesday, that a Filipino-Chinese trader was given one billion pesos by Guo to help her.
