MANILA – The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) are set to meet this week to investigate allegations that a former chief of the PNP accepted bribes from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). This inquiry follows statements made during a Senate hearing:The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) are set to meet this week to investigate allegations that a former chief of the PNP accepted bribes from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). This inquiry follows statements made during a Senate hearing, raising concerns about corruption within the national police force.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo announced that the meeting would involve CIDG officials and PAGCOR chief Raul Villanueva to further investigate the claims Villanueva made under oath at the
Senate hearing on September 17. The focus is to ascertain the veracity of Villanueva’s allegations concerning the former PNP chief’s involvement with dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and potential acceptance of bribery from POGOs.
The probe was prompted after Villanueva disclosed during the hearing that the former PNP chief assisted Guo in leaving the country in July. This revelation has implicated the unnamed former chief in potentially receiving bribe money from Guo, who has denied any assistance from Filipino government officials. The controversy has led to a broader examination of the former PNP chiefs, with Gen. Rommel Marbil noting that immediate predecessors Benjamin Acorda Jr., Rodolfo Azurin, and Oscar Albayalde have all denied involvement.
The allegations have stirred considerable attention, prompting Senator Ronald Dela Rosa to inquire directly from Guo about any past interactions with him during his tenure as PNP chief from 2016 to 2018. Guo confirmed she had only met Dela Rosa at the Se
nate hearings, further complicating the narrative.
General Marbil expressed concerns about the impact of these allegations on the reputation of the PNP and the government’s law enforcement integrity. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation and accountability, stating that if Villanueva’s claims are unsubstantiated, the PNP might consider legal action against him for potentially misleading statements that could tarnish the police force’s image.
The upcoming CIDG-PAGCOR meeting aims to clarify these serious allegations and ensure transparency and justice in addressing potential corruption within the Philippine National Police.