The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) recovered a letter from the Office of the President with the name of a former presidential spokesperson during a search of the raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.
In an interview with ABS-CBN, PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said the documents, which date back to 2021, and bore the letterhead of the Office of the President and the name of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque were seized inside the Lucky South 99 Compound.
“If these documents from the Palace in 2021 are authentic, we will understand their purpose,” Cruz said.
However, Cruz emphasized the need to verify the letters to ensure their authenticity.
Roque, on the other hand, denied any connection to the documents.
“I value my reputation. That affidavit of support is for a different purpose. It is clear that it has nothing to do with any POGO operation,” Roque stated.
Roque had previously served as an attorney for Whirlwind Corporation, a real estate company which leased the property to Lucky South 99.
Cruz earlier revealed that 18 Chinese military uniforms were found in the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.
He shared details of their initial investigation during an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, indicating that the uniforms varied and were still undergoing verification for authenticity.
“So far, we have found 18 sets. They are not identical, and we are still in the process of confirming their authenticity,” Cruz said.
Some uniforms bore “P.L.A.” buttons, suspected to refer to the People’s Liberation Army, the armed organization of the Chinese Communist Party.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines have suggested that these uniforms might have been used as props in illegal online activities. Additionally, a Chinese military sergeant’s badge was found, raising further questions about potential involvement by a veteran Chinese officer.
Cruz emphasized that the PAOCC is looking at questioning former uniformed personnel associated with the POGO.
Six more buildings within the 10-hectare compound remain to be searched following the initial raid last week, which rescued over 150 individuals.