Slander raps filed vs ex-PAOCC spox

- Advertisement -

AN employee of a business process outsourcing firm in Bataan raided by authorities last October 31 has filed a complaint for slander by deed against the former spokesman of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

Roderick Destura, 54, filed the complaint against Winston Casio before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Balanga City, Bataan on November 11.

Destura, an aircon technician, is suing Casio for slapping him three times after accusing him of allegedly disrespecting PAOCC staff during the raid that was conducted at the Central One Bataan PH Incorporated.

- Advertisement -

Authorities raided the firm, whose office is located at Centropark in Bagac, Bataan, for allegedly running online scamming activities.

After the raid, a video went viral showing Casio slapping a worker thrice. Before the said footage was aired, another video surfaced showing the relieved PAOCC spokesperson in what looked like a tense confrontation with another worker.

In his complaint, Destura claimed Casio slapped him thrice after the latter accused him of disrespecting his staff.

“Ako po ay pinagbintangan ng walang basehan, minaltrato, tinakot at pinagsasampal ng respondent. May isang tauhan siya na lumapit sa akin, sabi niya binabastos mo kami. Dumating na nga itong si Mr. Casio, bigla na lang niya akong parang i-a-attempt na suntukin (I was accused without basis, maltreated, harassed and slapped by the respondent. One of his staff approached me and said that I was being rude to him. Then, Mr. Casio came towards me and attempted to punch me),” he alleged.

He said Casio’s staff accused him of allegedly giving them the dirty finger and disrespecting authorities.

He added that Casio then slapped him inside the clinic of the raided facility.

“Pinatayo niya ako sa pamamagitan ng pag-utos sa kanyang mga tauhan at pinapasok sa loob ng clinic. Doon, patuloy niya po akong pinagsabihan na ‘wag ko daw pong babastusin silang mga tiga-gobyerno. Pinapili din po niya ako kung kakasuhan daw po ako o tatanggap na lang ng sampal. Maya maya, sa harap ng anim na tauhan ng PAOCC na pawang nakabantay, sinampal po ako ng respondent ng tatlong beses,” he said in his complaint.

Destura alleged another PAOCC official he could not identify also punched him thrice after he went out of the clinic.

“Masakit po ang pagkakasuntok sa akin na nagdulot pa po sa akin ng pagtatae (It was painful. It led me to have a loose bowel movement),” he said, describing the unnamed PAOCC agent as someone between 40 t0 45 years old, of slight build, and had his hair tied.

Central One has said it is neither involved in scamming activities nor operating as a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).

After the incident, Casio was relieved as PAOCC spokesmen pending an investigation into the incident.

Casio has apologized for the incident in several interviews to the media, admitting it was wrong to do so even as he accused the workers in the raided establishment, including Destura, of cursing and disrespecting authorities.

Asked to comment on Destura’s case, Casio refused to comment, saying he has yet to see the formal complaint lodged against him.

“No comment until we see the charge sheet. I still don’t know the case they (complaint and his lawyer) filed but, at most that will be slander by deed,” said Casio in a phone interview.

Told that the complaint that was filed was slander by deed, Casio said: “(I will) wait for the charge sheet then I’m going to make a comment.”

Asked for an update on the ongoing administration investigation on the incident, Casio said: “I think the official findings will come out this Friday.”

PAOCC ASSAILED

Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia assailed the PAOCC’s raid at the Central One, questioning the way it treated workers of the alleged POGO hub.

- Advertisement -spot_img

“In the name if justice, we cannot allow any institution to act with a heavy hand and bring distress upon our law-abiding citizens without a thorough and cautious approach,” Garcia said in a privilege speech last Monday.

Garcia reportedly acted as a guarantor for the release on recognizance of the 41 foreign workers of the raided firm, which is accused of running a scam hub.

“What unfolded was an ordeal that defies the principles of humane treatment and due process,” Garcia said. “As the implementing team began their search, all employees, both Filipino and foreign, were forcibly detained and held in various areas and denied their freedom to move or even use their cellphones despite the fact that no evidence was gathered during the search on the alleged human trafficking.”

The lawmaker said the employees were ordered to keep their hands above their heads while some had to lie face down on their stomachs.

“For the Filipino workers, initial threats of detention were made although they were eventually released but only after exhaustive hours of profiling and harassment. The raiding team falsely claimed to be rescuing the employees, which contradicts the employees’ clear statement that they need no rescuing at all,” he said.

Garcia said the employees “were seeking to be rescued from the PAOCC itself because of the latter’s abusive conduct.” He added that the experiences of foreign workers “was even more harrowing, they were labeled undesirable aliens despite possessing necessary papers such as alien employment permits, and investors’ visa.” – With Victor Reyes and Wendell Vigilia

Author

- Advertisement -

Share post: