8 CIDG agents nabbed for POGO workers’ robbery

MANILA, Philippines — Eight operatives of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) were arrested for allegedly robbing Chinese workers of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) firm in Angeles, Pampanga yesterday.

Maj. Ferdinand Mendoza, S/Sgts. Mark Anthony Iral and Sanny Ric Alicante, Pat. Leandro Mangale and Hermogines Rosario Jr. and Cpls. Richmond Francia, John Gervic Fajardo and Kenneth Rheiner Delfin of the CIDG’s Anti-Organized Crime unit were apprehended in Barangay Balibago at around 1 a.m., according to a report from the CIDG-Angeles field office.

Two unidentified Chinese citizens and a Filipino were also arrested.

Police said it received information that a group of armed men in civilian clothes who claimed to be CIDG operatives had barged into a house being used as a workstation of the Chinese POGO workers.

Seven Chinese men and a Filipino house helper were rescued.

The CIDG operatives claimed they were conducting a drug bust and an operation against loose firearms.

Police found P300,000 in cash and an unspecified amount of US dollar bills from the vehicles of the CIDG agents.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos vowed to dismiss the CIDG agents from the service.

”We will make sure you are removed from the organization because we don’t want to taint the majority of performing and professional police officers,” Carlos said.