Jaime Capil, the mayor of Porac, denies being a POGO protector
JAIME CAPIL – The mayor of Porac, Pampanga refuted claims of protecting a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub involved in illegal activities such as human trafficking and kidnapping.
During a municipal flag-raising ceremony, Capil, speaking in Kapampangan, clarified that no mayor’s permit was issued to the Lucky South 99 compound for this year due to its non-compliance with Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) requirements. Capil emphasized that even minor violations by the POGO hub were not overlooked, countering allegations of his involvement.
Capil condemned the crimes uncovered during the raid by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), asserting his administration’s commitment to peace and order. He assured cooperation with PAOCC, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other authorities in combating crimes within the POGO hub, which included evidence of torture like baseball bats and electric rods. The raid also revealed a woman being auctioned for sexual services and a Chinese man, a kidnapping victim, found handcuffed and injured.
The Porac Public Information Office noted that the PAOCC’s raid was partly based on an inspection ordered by Capil, as mandated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The investigation covered 40 buildings in the compound, which had valid building permits.
PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio confirmed that only 15 out of 46 buildings had been searched so far and stated there was no evidence linking Mayor Capil to the protection of the POGO hub. Casio urged the public to be responsible when discussing the issue and noted that identifying those behind the illegal activities would take time, emphasizing the need to determine the real owners of the buildings.
Capil clarified he does not own the land where the POGO hub is located, and it existed before his tenure as mayor. He also mentioned that no complaints were received from victims, and he would have sought a search warrant to rescue them if complaints had been made.