Winston Casio reclaims PAOCC post amid controversy

Winston Casio has returned to his duties as spokesperson in the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

On Wednesday, Casio appeared before the media to discuss the latest developments in the efforts of PAOCC against organized crime, and the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) in particular.

In November 2024, the commission’s spokesperson was relieved from his post following an incident that took place in Bataan, where Casio was reportedly involved in the “mistreatment” of a Filipino citizen during the execution of a search warrant in Bagac.

A CCTV footage showed that Casio slapped a POGO worker who was reportedly seen disrespecting PAOCC personnel as well as members of the media.

He was ordered to submit an explanation to PAOCC regarding his actions.

Casio admitted that he is a hothead, even before his stint in government.

“I am a hot-headed person, even before. I have to be very honest about that. Before I joined the government, I was a businessman… Even then, my employees used to say that I have a short temper,” he said.

He also revealed that he underwent anger management and is taking medication to control his temper.

While PAOCC was investigating his actions, Casio said his duties and responsibilities were reduced to paperwork.

“During the time that I was suspended, as you would imagine… I was not doing the things that I used to do, so basically, I was ‘confined to quarters.’ Receiving pay but my work was basically limited to paperwork. No operations, no spokesman taskings, and so on and so forth,” he said.

He also reached a settlement with the individual he had mistreated.

“I reached an amicable settlement with the complainant. So, he desisted from pursuing criminal charges against me,” he said.

“There were no civil damages, to be honest. The agreement was, I had to apologize in public, in court, in open session,” he added.

Casio said he also apologized to the wife of the complainant as well as their counsel.

“At the end of the day, everything ends well. I had to apologize, and I am man enough to apologize to them,” he noted.

Casio said he is cleared by his physician and psychologist to return to work, and he is back to his regular duties as PAOCC spokesperson and Director-In-Charge for Media and Public Relations.