5 Isabela cops in trouble for PCSO retail outlet raid

SANTIAGO CITY , Philippines   â€“ At least five police officers in this Isabela city are facing charges of robbery and grave misconduct for their alleged illegal raid on a “Bingo Milyonario” retail outlet sanctioned by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) recently.

Those in hot water are Superintendent Zaidee Daculug, head of the public safety company; and Superintendents Juan Aggasid and Victorino Valdez, PO2 Pedro Furigay and PO1 Claynard Ballad, all of the city police.

Lawyer Joy Cacatian-Barangan, legal counsel of Michelle Martinez, authorized retailer supervisor of the PCSO’s online games here, said charges of gross incompetence and robbery with force and intimidation were also filed against the five policemen.

The charges were reportedly filed with the Internal Affairs Office of the regional police at Camp Adduru in Tuguegarao City. 

The PCSO here is also considering filing the same charges, to include Mayor Joseph Tan and city police chief Senior Superintendent Leon Rafael, before the city prosecutor’s office for the criminal aspect of the case.

The five policemen, allegedly acting on Tan’s order, swooped down on the PCSO outlet in Barangay Centro East here and seized its machines and other gaming paraphernalia as well as mobile phones and online facilities last Nov. 14.

Barangan said the raid was conducted without any court order or search warrant, as the police allegedly merely relied on the mayor’s verbal order.

Tan said he ordered the closure of the gaming outlet for allegedly having no business permit and other pertinent papers issued by the city government.