DOJ Secretary laments PNP’s failure to heed department’s advise, refers to Las Piñas City raid

In the latest turn of events related to the recent raid of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Las Piñas City, Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla lamented the Philippine National Police (PNP) to head his department’s advice to build up cases first before doing raids targeting criminal suspects and rescuing victims, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The Las Piñas City raid was referred to by Remulla.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla lamented the failure of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to heed the advice of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to build up cases first before implementing raids to arrest suspected criminal offenders and rescue possible victims.

Remulla pointed out the raid conducted by the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) at the Hong Tai Compound in Las Pinas City where it allegedly rescued 2,714 Filipinos and foreigners from human trafficking.

“May pag-uusap na kasi ang DOJ at tsaka Anti-Cybercrime Group ng PNP na bago kumilos ay mag-case build up muna para ‘pag tayo ay nagraid at tayo ay manghuli ang lahat ng ating huhullihin ay pihadong may ebidensya laban sa kanila (The DOJ and PNP-ACG have already talked that before policemen act they should conduct case build up first so that, once they hold raids and make arrests, law enforcement will surely have evidence),” Remulla said during a press briefing on Monday, July 10.

“Hindi po ito nasunod (This was not followed),” he lamented.

With PNP’s failure to heed the advice, he said “ngayon maraming nakabinbin na hindi maifile na mga kaso sapagkat wala naman ebidensya na kumpleto (there are many pending cases that could not be filed because of incomplete evidence).”

Records showed that the PNP also filed criminal cases before the DOJ against five Chinese nationals who were arrested for alleged violations of the anti-human trafficking law.  They were identified as Li Jiacheng, Xiao Liu, Yan Jiayong, Duan Haozhuan and LP Hongkun.

Remulla said the five suspects have been released for further preliminary investigation.

“Sinabi na namin mag-usap muna tayo bago kayo kikilos. Tapos gusto nila file kami ng file ng kaso kahit wala kaming ebidensya. Hindi namin gagawin ‘yun (We told them to talk first before taking action. Now they want the DOJ to file cases even though there are no evidence. We will not do that),” he stressed.

He said that most of those rescued have been repatriated to their respective countries and over 1,000 of them remain in the Philippines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think that the raid on the POGO firm in the city by the local authorities is justified?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673