Latest news with #PAOCC
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DOJ files 62 counts of money laundering vs Alice Guo
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday filed 62 counts of money laundering charges against former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and others, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said. The PAOCC said the money laundering case against Guo, also known as Chinese citizen Guo Hua Ping, was filed before Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court (RTC). The charges include 26 counts of violation of Section 4(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Law, which relates to transacting a monetary instrument or property that represent, involves, or relates to proceeds of an unlawful activity. Five counts are for violating Section 4(b) of the same law, which is committed by a person who converts, transfers, disposes of, acquires, possesses or uses such monetary instruments or properties. Finally, 31 counts are for Section 4(d), which pertain to attempts or conspiracy to commit money laundering offenses. Just two days ago, Guo personally filed separate counter-affidavits on the tax evasion, falsification, and graft complaints filed against her before the DOJ. Lawyer Nicole Jamilla, Guo's legal counsel, has maintained that her client is innocent of the criminal charges leveled against the former mayor. Guo is also facing a qualified trafficking case before a Pasig court, a graft case before a Valenzuela court, and a material misrepresentation case before a Tarlac court. A quo warranto petition was also filed against Guo with a Manila court, as well as a petition to cancel her birth certificate before a Tarlac court. Guo is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- GMA Network
Cops to learn Korean language to address crimes vs foreigners — PAOCC
Cops will learn Korean language to accommodate foreigners reporting crimes to police assistance desks, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said Thursday. PAOCC spokesperson Atty. Ernesto Tendero confirmed this development to GMA News Online in a message. This is among the recommendations of PAOCC during a meeting with the Korean community on May 16. 'During our first meeting with the Korean consulate and the community, yun po yung isang sinuggest natin at umayon po sila,' PAOCC executive director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview on Tuesday. (During our first meeting with the Korean consulate and the community, we suggested that and they agreed.) 'Actually sabi nga nila kapag nabuo nila yung tourist protection desks na iyan, we are willing to send yung mga pulis na tatao dyan para matuto sila noong basic Korean language,' he added. (Actually they said when those tourist protection desks are set up, they are willing to send the police officers so they can learn the basic Korean language.) The meeting came following the killing of a Korean national along Friendship Highway in Korea Town, Angeles City in April. Some persons of interest (POIs) have been identified in the fatal shooting, according to the city police. Angeles City Police head Police Colonel Joselito Villarosa Jr. said the POIs were identified through a review of CCTV footage and other evidence. To help in the probe, the Korean Association Community of Angeles City has offered a P200,000 reward for any information that will lead to the identification and arrest of the perpetrator. The public are encouraged to immediately report any leads to the Angeles City Police. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
South China Morning Post
21-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Philippines to deploy Korean-speaking police in response to crime wave
The Philippines is setting up tourist security desks staffed by Korean-speaking police officers after a spate of crimes targeting South Korean nationals in the country. Advertisement The Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC) announced the measures on Tuesday, The Philippine Star newspaper reported. It said that the desks would be placed in police stations located in areas with significant Korean populations. Officers assigned to the desks will undergo basic Korean language training, with support from South Korean officials, according to online media outlet Brigada News. PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz said the initiative aimed to improve interactions between law enforcement and Korean-speaking visitors and residents. A Filipino policeman stands outside a police station in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Photo Reuters Police patrols will also be increased in areas with a high concentration of South Koreans. Most South Korean nationals in the Philippines live in expat-friendly cities such as Manila, Angeles and Cebu, which are also popular tourist destinations.
GMA Network
18-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PAOCC assures Korean community in PH it will implement measures vs crimes
The PAOCC, led by its chairman Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, meets with representatives from the Korean consulate and the Korean community in the Philippines on May 16, 2025 to address the rising crimes against Korean nationals. PCO The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission on Friday assured the Korean community in the country that the government will remain steadfast in eradicating violent crimes. PAOCC chairperson Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin gave this assurance in a dialogue regarding rising violent crime rates, with representatives from the Korean consulate and the United Korean Community Association in the Philippines, according to a press release from the Presidential Communications Office issued Saturday. PAOCC Executive Director Cruz presented to them a plan to safeguard Korean nationals residing in or visiting the country. Included in the plan is the revitalization of tourist security desks which will provide police visibility and enhance coordination with local authorities in safeguarding foreign nationals. Authorities will also have an intensified monitoring of key areas such as Angeles City, Manila, and Cebu. The high-level dialogue was also attended by Ambassador Marciano A. Paynor Jr. (Ret.) of the Office of the President, and Undersecretary Jeffrey G. Gallardo. During the dialogue, Sand Seung-Man, deputy chief mission and consul general of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, asked for strong reinforcement from the Philippine government in enhancing the safety of Korean communities, amid crimes targeting Korean nationals, both residents and visitors alike. Sand suggested having an international police cooperation and intelligence gathering framework to ensure effective investigation. This came weeks after a Korean national was killed along Friendship Highway in Korea Town, Angeles City. The victim and his friend were standing in front of a bank when the riding-in-tandem suspects accosted them. One of the suspects forcibly took the bag of the victim that contained P5,000 and other valuables. The two victims were about to recover the bag when one of the suspects shot one of them in the chest before fleeing with his accomplice on their motorcycle. The victim was brought to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Some persons of interest (POIs) have been identified in the fatal shooting, according to the city police on Thursday. At a press briefing, Angeles City Police head Police Colonel Joselito Villarosa Jr. said the POIs were identified through a review of CCTV footage and other evidence. To help in the probe, the Korean Association Community of Angeles City has offered a P200,000 reward for any information that will lead to the identification and arrest of the perpetrator. The public are encouraged to immediately report any leads to the Angeles City Police. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-05-2025
- GMA Network
10 Chinese nabbed in small-scale scam hub in Bataan
Ten Chinese nationals were arrested in Bataan for allegedly operating a small-scale scam hub in residential houses, according to a report by John Consulta on "24 Oras." Agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided at least three houses suspected of being used in online scamming activities. Inside, they found computers, electronic gadgets, and a satellite internet system believed to have been used to avoid detection by bypassing local internet providers. During the operation, the first Chinese national encountered by authorities had his phone confiscated on the spot. Several others were found hiding inside cabinets and closets as agents swept through the premises. According to NBI Intelligence Division Assistant Director Noel Bocaling, the suspects were former members of a larger Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) group. After the government dismantled a major POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga — the same one linked to controversial figure Alice Guo — some individuals fled and established smaller independent groups to continue their operations. 'Yung kaso ni Alice Guo at sa Porac na na-dismantle ng PAOCC, nung dinismantle nila yan, marami ang nakatakas. Nung tumakas, di na sila nag-amo, sila-sila ang nagcreate ng grupo-grupo nila. Yung mga cellphones na gamit nila doon nakatakip ang mga camera para di makita ng mga kausap nila,' Bocaling said. (When the PAOCC dismantled that site in Bamban in Alice Guo's case and in Porac, many escaped. After fleeing, they stopped working under a single boss and instead formed their own smaller networks. They even covered their phone cameras so their contacts wouldn't see them.) Authorities were tipped off after it was discovered that one of the houses rented by the group was owned by the child of a former NBI agent. A Chinese informant — who strongly opposes illegal cyber activities — also helped in gathering intelligence. 'Nagkamali sila dahil yung mayari ng inuupahan nila yung anak dating NBI agent. Ang asset natin diyan Chinese din na ayaw na ayaw na ganyan,' he added. (They made a mistake in choosing that house. Our asset in the area is also Chinese and refuses to tolerate scams like these.) The 10 arrested individuals face charges under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act and are currently under NBI custody. The investigation is ongoing to trace other possible scam hubs operating in the area. —Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News
