Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13) — The Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Las Piñas that was raided by authorities last month filed five petitions for a writ of habeas corpus before the city’s regional trial court on Thursday.
\”We are asking for the writ of habeas corpus for police officers on the ground to produce bodies of five Chinese nationals and show to the court bakit sila hindi pinapalaya [why are they not being released],\” Xinchuang Network Technologies legal counsel Christian Vargas said.
READ: Over 2K workers rescued in POGO hub raid in Las Piñas
Vargas said they also filed a complaint against the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for still detaining the five Chinese nationals accused of human trafficking-related activities despite a release order from the Department of Justice.
He added that there’s no reason for authorities to keep his clients detained because their travel to the Philippines was legal.
The complaint was filed against PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group Chief PBGen Sidney Hernia, National Capital Region Police Office Chief PBGen Melencio Nartatez, and BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco.
The PNP earlier denied Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s statement that the raid lacked proper coordination with concerned agencies.
READ: Proper coordination done in POGO hub raid – PNP
Police said they are ready to face the complaint against them.
The BI has yet to comment on the issue.
