FOUR Chinese who were among more than 1,000 foreigner-victims of human trafficking rescued from a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm in Las Piñas City last week are fugitives in China, according to the PNP.
In a press briefing at the PNP national headquarters at Camp Crame, PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said the four Chinese will be deported soon to China to face the charges lodged against them.
“Based on the documentation and profiling conducted by the ACG (PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group) with respect to the more than 1,000 foreign nationals we rescued, it was discovered that four Chinese are wanted in China,” said Fajardo.
“Based on records provided by our Chinese counterpart, they are involved in fraud and drug trafficking,” said Fajardo, adding the four are subject to deportation since they have existing arrest warrants in China.
Fajardo said the PNP, in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration, is currently conducting an investigation to determine how the four were able to enter the country.
“We are closely coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration to prevent a similar incident (of fugitives entering the country),” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said the PNP is looking at the possibility of filing additional charges against the owners of the POGO firm.
The owners have been charged with violation of Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act) and Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Police operatives raided the POGO firm, Xinchuang Network Technology Inc., Tuesday last week based on warrants to search, seize and examine computer data for violation of human trafficking and cybercrime laws.
A total of 2.724 victims of human trafficking were rescued from the establishment — 1,534 Filipinos and 1,190 foreigners. The foreigners included 604 Chinese.
On the claim of the POGO firm’s lawyer that the raid was illegal, Fajardo said such concern should be raised in a proper forum.
Fajardo said the operation was legitimate and the PNP is ready to answer any questions regarding the operation in the proper forum.
Fajardo said the PNP is still in the process of profiling the rescued foreign nationals. She said the process may take a few more days, noting that some are not cooperating.
On allegations that the PNP is not allowing the foreigners to undergo treatment for the injuries they suffered during a commotion a few days ago, Fajardo said: “We categorically deny this.”
Fajardo said the Las Pinas City government provided ambulance and medical teams to treat the “minor injuries” of the victims.
