Teodoro: Bamban Pogo’s proximity to military base should’ve been flagged

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. | INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO/Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines — Local authorities should have raised concerns about the proximity of Bamban town’s Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub to a key military base, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Monday.

Teodoro noted that the Pogo hub linked to dismissed mayor Alice Guo is very close to Camp O’Donnell base in Capas, Tarlac.

“It is curious that a 32-building complex [was] operating within two minutes flying time away from the Tradoc (training and doctrine command) and the light armor division [headquarters],” Teodoro said in an ambush interview in Camp Aguinaldo.

READ: Pogo sites near Philippine military bases likened to ‘Trojan horse’

“All of the authorities should have been aware at the time, particularly the local authorities,” he continued.

Camp O’Donnell base is a frequent venue of the annual war games between Manila and Washington.