PNP slams ‘theory’ on cops’ connivance with sex den operators

PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said through the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and other local police units, the police force is at the “forefront” of efforts to curb crimes against public morals including prostitution, gambling, and illegal vices.  (File Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday dismissed opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros’ theory that some police personnel are in cahoots with syndicates and protecting groups involved in prostitution dens linked to the influx of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.

PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said through the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and other local police units, the police force is at the “forefront” of efforts to curb crimes against public morals including prostitution, gambling, and illegal vices.

“The WCPC has been empowered even more with orders from the Chief PNP (Gen. Archie Gamboa) to lead the campaign against prostitution and trafficking of Filipino women, particularly by syndicated activities operated by foreign groups,” Banac told reporters when sought for a comment.

Banac added that mere speculations must be set aside as these are not helpful at all in efforts geared towards an impartial investigation.

“In law enforcement and crime investigation, theories provide only speculative leads as it compromises the element of objectivity because there is a tendency to limit focus only on what the theory provides,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), meanwhile, shrugged off the senator’s claim as unverified.

“As the Regional Director, I can guarantee that the theory that there are personnel within our ranks who collude with Chinese prostitution syndicates is an unvalidated assumption,” Sinas said in a statement.

On Wednesday night, the Manila Police District assisted in a spot inspection inside the Zenki-Capo KTV Bar and Restaurant at the basement of Lido De Paris Hotel, Ongpin St., Sta Cruz, Manila by the personnel of the city’s Bureau of Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) and its Department of Social Welfare.

During the inspection, 19 persons –five men and 14 women — were apprehended for failure to comply with necessary permits as provided for under the 2013 Omnibus, Revenue Code of the City of Manila such as Art. H, Section 98 (Professional Occupation Tax) and Art. E, Sec. 138 (Health Certificate Fee) in relation to Sec. 199.

These suspects are currently detained in Manila Police District for filing of appropriate charges.

Sinas said the NCRPO is continuously conducting several raids and operations against this kind of syndicates and up to this moment, they are ceaselessly working on intensifying our efforts to eradicate the proliferation of prostitution syndicates.

“The NCRPO is invigorating its revitalized internal cleansing program to cleanse our rank from scalawags and erring members. We have a dedicated unit working on this and guaranteed, there is zero-tolerance among our ranks and I will personally ensure that such personnel will be identified and made to suffer the consequences of their ill actions,” said Sinas.

“I would like to appeal for cooperation from the general public to support our campaign against this syndicates and to immediately report suspicious activities going on in their areas,” he added.

Gamboa earlier ordered the WCPC to intensify further the campaign against prostitution in coordination with regional and local police units.

Gamboa’s order came after Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government would probe into the emergence of Chinese prostitution dens in the country, which was supposedly linked to the operation of the POGOs.