The Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed two cases against courier service firm J&T Express for violation of the Bayanihan Act and the Consumer Protection Act over its mishandling of packages and has started inspecting the company's regional hubs for other violations of the law.
PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said he has tasked the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to conduct a thorough investigation on the incident where half-naked cargo handlers were seen throwing around packages.
President Duterte had earlier lashed out at J&T Express over a viral video showing its employees mishandling the packages.
“There was already a report from the CIDG dated July 14. As a matter of fact, other than those that went viral which was also the basis for the investigation, we also found other violations including violations of the Labor Law,” said Gamboa,
He said that they are now coordinating with the Department of Labor and Employment over its findings.
Aside from the filing of at least two cases, Gamboa said the CIDG was also able to locate the company’s hub where the video showed that its employees were just hurling the packages into the delivery truck.
During the probe, he said it was found out that the J&T Express hub has no permit to operate.
“So, because of that violation, there is a closure order, and actual pictures have been taken to implement such a closure order,” said Gamboa.
Currently, Gamboa said the CIDG is gathering evidence on the provincial hubs of the courier company.
“We are doing this as there might also be violations both on local ordinances in terms of permits, violations relating to Department of Trade Industry (DTI) rules, and that of DOLE,” said Gamboa.