POGO raid stalled as court withdraws search warrant

Operatives of the Philippine AntiOrganized Crime Commission (PAOCC) had to call off a raid on an illegal offshore gaming operator or POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga early this week after a court withdrew the search warrant it issued for the operation and rejected an application for a new one.

- EMMANUEL TUPAS, Nillicent Bautista, Marc Jayson Cayabyab

PAOCC spokesman Winston John Casio said a regional trial court in Malolos, Bulacan withdrew the search warrant based on what he described as technicalities, as the persons and items to be searched were reportedly not specified in the warrant.

"We are appealing to the judge, the honorable court. We asked her to look beyond the technicality, focus on the merit. Unfortunately, she did not rule based on the merit but on technicality, that's why she denied it," Casio said yesterday in an interview over dzBB, referring to their application for a new warrant.

In the absence of a search warrant, the PAOCC and other law enforcement agencies were unable to enter the compound of the Lucky South 99 on Fil-Am Friendship Highway.

He admitted there is "POGO politics" that explains why some government agencies interfere in PAOCC operations.

"There really is POGO politics but we are not imputing any malice or criminal liability to the honorable court," he emphasized.