Winston John Casio, spokesperson for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), has been removed from his post pending an investigation after a video surfaced showing him slapping a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) worker during a raid in Bagac, Bataan on October 31.
The video, which quickly went viral, shows Casio slapping the worker twice while criticizing him during the raid on a facility called Central One. In response to the incident, PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz issued a memorandum on November 4, ordering Casio to provide a written explanation within 24 hours. Casio has also been relieved of his duties as spokesperson until the completion of the investigation.
In a radio interview, Casio admitted to losing his temper after the POGO worker allegedly cursed at and gave an obscene gesture to a PAOCC member. He claimed that he offered the worker two choices: face charges or be slapped, with the worker choosing the latter. Casio later issued a public apology, acknowledging that violence was not the right response and that he should have filed charges instead.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, Metro Manila’s top police official, Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia, responded to accusations of extortion against him and 14 officers involved in a raid on a suspected scam hub at Century Peak Tower in Ermita. Four Chinese nationals arrested in the raid claimed that police officers demanded P1 million each for legal assistance. Hernia rejected the allegations, urging the accusers to present evidence and assuring that the investigation would prove the legality of their actions.
