Worker sues Casio over slapping incident

MANILA, Philippines — A business process outsourcing employee who was slapped by relieved Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesman Winston John Casio during a raid on a suspected Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Bagac, Bataan has filed criminal charges against the official.

Accompanied by a lawyer, the complainant filed a case for violation of Article 359 of the Revised Penal Code, or slander by deed, before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Balanga City on Monday.

The complainant, who works as an air-conditioning technician at Central One, presented a copy of video footage from a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera installed at the scene of the incident.

The incident, which went viral on social media, resulted in the relief of Casio.

The complainant said that apart from Casio, another PAOCC official assaulted him.

In a three-page sworn statement, the complainant said a PAOCC official accused him of flashing the dirty finger and reported the matter to Casio.

He denied making the insulting gesture, saying he only cheered after hearing that he and his co-workers would be released from custody.

The complainant said Casio refused to listen to his explanation and asked him to choose between getting charged or slapped. He said he was embarassed by the incident as he had never experienced being put in such a situation.

Casio has apologized for his actions.

After the slapping incident, the complainant said another PAOCC official, whom he described to be slim, with white hair tied in a ponytail, punched him three times in the left side of the abdomen.