Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 4) — Four Chinese fugitives are scheduled to be deported this week after being apprehended at XinHuang Network Technologies, a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Las Piñas City where a series of anti-cybercrime raids were conducted last week.
According to Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, the fugitives have existing arrest warrants in China for fraud and drug trafficking.
The PNP has admitted that the entry of fugitives to the country has been a long-time problem. Law enforcers are coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration to prevent it from repeating. Authorities are also investigating how the foreigners were able to work in the POGO hub
Meanwhile, the camp of rescued POGO workers condemned the alleged abuse carried out by the police during the raid.
“Kung nag-attempt sila na tumakas [If they attempted to escape], is the use of force — excessive force — allowed action in doing so?” the POGO firm’s legal counsel Ananias Vargas said. “Nakahandusay na ‘yung tao, binabatuta pa rin ng pulis [The person was on the ground but was still being hit]. What do you call that?”
READ: Over 2K workers rescued in POGO hub raid in Las Piñas
The PNP said proper operational procedures were followed during the raid. Fajardo added that officers from Human Rights Affairs were also present during the operation, and the process was done with “utmost respect for human rights.”
“We categorically deny (the abuse). ‘Yung mismong (the) Las Piñas local government unit, they provided ambulance and medical team to treat victims na naka-incur ng (that incurred) minor injury because they attempted to escape,” Fajardo said.
Around 1,200 foreign workers are still subjected to profiling in coordination with embassies in the country.
