The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) confirmed that the Pasay City local government unit (LGU) is under investigation following recent raids in the area.
PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio also said that the investigation is focused on the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) and another department within the LGU.
However, he clarified that it is too early to determine whether charges will be filed against Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano.
“Possible filing? We cannot say for sure, but the LGU of Pasay is under investigation,” Casio said when asked about possible charges.
Casio emphasized that the scope of the investigation is currently limited to Pasay due to the concentration of raids in the city.
“So far, yes, because most of our raids are in Pasay, so the LGU’s investigation is what we are investigating, specifically the BPLO, two particular offices actually, but the BPLO, I am very sure of that,” he said.
“Then, if the investigation goes up to the local chief executive, it depends on the evidence,” he added.
While reports of similar activities have surfaced in Makati and Parañaque, Casio noted that the PAOCC has not yet conducted a case build-up in those cities due to the absence of raids.
“So far, we have not been able to conduct a case build-up there because we have not had a raid in Makati, we have not had a raid in Parañaque,” he said
“But we have been receiving many reports supposedly from Parañaque and Makati, so we are appealing for help, hoping that if there really is something, we can be assisted in shutting it down,” he added.
The PAOCC continues to encourage the public to provide information regarding illegal activities in these areas as part of its broader crackdown on organized crime.