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Friday, March 29, 2024

PNP to go after unauthorized bodyguards of POGO operators

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it will go after unauthorized security personnel of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and other areas that have become notorious for violence and other illegal activities.

“I have directed the PNP Civil Security Group (CSG) and the Police Regional Offices to conduct an inventory and accounting of all private protective agents providing security services as ‘bodyguard’ to some VIPs (very important persons), including foreigners engaged in business activities in the country,” PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said in a statement.

Azurin said as a general rule, licensed protective agents must be covered by Special Duty Detail Order (SDDO) from the PNP’s Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA), authorizing them to carry firearms and perform bodyguard duties for civilians.

“Protection agents must be covered by an Authority to Deploy Protection Agents issued by the Chief PNP (valid for one year) or the TDO (The Director for Operations) which is valid for up to six months and SDDO issued by CSG – SOSIA,” Azurin clarified.

He said the SOSIA, in coordination with police districts in the National Capital Region and other police regional offices in areas with POGO operations, is also directed to inspect all private security personnel in these establishments, including watchmen, security guards, and protective agents or bodyguards.

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The crackdown comes on the heels of a video that went viral, showing a shooting and stabbing incident involving two groups of Chinese nationals backed by Filipino bodyguards at an apartment building in Marina Bay, Barangay Don Galo, Parañaque City last July 22.

“The appropriate complaint against the suspects was already referred to the proper authority and with the identification of the majority of them, this case is considered as cleared,” National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said in a separate statement.

Estomo said a pursuit operation was conducted through the help of a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera recording of the building that led to the identification of the suspects, two of whom were identified as King Aglubos Lee and Jeffrey Orlanes.

The fatalities were identified as Chinese nationals Zhang Xialong and Ziyu Meng.

Police also disclosed that three witnesses who were working as housekeepers in the building were invited for investigation.

The witnesses identified through CCTV footage the 13 suspects, composed of a businesswoman and 12 bodyguards who were temporarily staying in the same apartment.

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