THE Marcos government has suspended an anti-crime task force official following a supposed mistreatment of a Filipino as authorities served an arrest warrant in an alleged scam hub in Bataan province.
The Office of the President ordered Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesman Winston John R. Casio to submit a written explanation after his “alleged involvement in the incident involving the mistreatment of a Filipino national on October 31, 2024 at CENTRAL ONE in Bagac, Bataan.”
“This incident occurred following the execution of a search warrant at the location is reported to have been documented, with the footage now circulating on social media platforms.
In the footage, Mr. Casio was seen slapping a worker of a Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) during the Oct. 31 raid.
The palace said Mr. Casio has been “relieved” of his responsibilities as PAOCC spokesman “until the completion” of its investigation.
In a statement, Mr. Casio admitted his act and said he “should have simply filed the necessary charges against the person who flashed the dirty finger at us and insulted our office with vitriol.”
“Then again, my temper got the better of me.”
Mr. Casio said the public should never associate his actions with the entire PAOCC.
“As I embark on a period of reflection during this most humbling time, I subject myself to whatever administrative measures that the Commission will impose. No matter where this episode will lead me, I will continue to serve the Filipino people in whatever capacity.”
Mr. Casio has been the face of the PAOCC as the Marcos government wages a crackdown on POGOs, which have been linked to Chinese syndicates and transnational crimes.
POGOs, which mainly cater to Chinese markets and had been widely embraced by the previous administration, have been a major headache for the Philippine government, so much so that Mr. Marcos ordered a ban in July. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza