Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) — Some illegal foreign foreign nationals in immigration detention centers are wittingly using the criminal justice system to avoid deportation, a Cabinet official said on Monday.
It is called “Demanda me” (file charges against me), and Justice Secretary Boying Remulla said the scheme lets detainees facing criminal complaints and charges to stay in the country unless their cases are dismissed or after they serve time once convicted.
“Ang nahalata po namin, minsan may isang kalahati po na nandon na nakakulong kaso sila po nagpapa-file (cases) para hindi sila umalis,” Remulla said during a Senate committee hearing.
[Translation: What we noticed is that, sometimes half of those detainees, they want cases filed against them so that they don’t leave.]
The secretary cited an instance of seven Japanese men filing 12 cases against themselves to remain in the country. He said the department had to dismiss the cases one-by-one.
“May ‘Demanda me’ package po na ginagawa ang mga lawyers minsan para hindi po mapa-deport ang mga tao,” he said.
[Translation: There is a ‘Demanda me’ package that lawyers sometimes do to prevent people from being deported.]
Senator Bato dela Rosa said some illegal foreigners prefer to stay since they are in danger if they go home.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said almost half of detained persons with charges are Chinese, with most cases related to offshore gaming operation scams.
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Senator Nancy Binay said 18 of the 289 detainees have been held for five years, amd 28 others for at least three years.
“I suggest na baka kailangan i-resolve na natin ‘yung issue, lalong lalo na itong 18 na ito (maybe it’s time to resolve the issue, especially this 18),” Binay said.
Tansingco said the 18 detainees are facing drug and capital offense cases.
Remulla suggested penalizing lawyers assisting criminals in this scheme.
“Ang mas mahalaga siguro ay malaking penalty sa mga lawyers na mag a-assist ng Demanda Me racket na ginagawa ng mga foreigners,” he said.
[Translation: Perhaps what’s more important is to mete a hefty penalty for lawyers who will assist the Demanda me racket by foreigners.]
