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.
“Nandoon pa rin sila kung saan sila nakalagay sa tirahan nila. Wala silang trabaho ngayon (Those remaining at are their residences. They have no work now),” he also said.
Thus, he said, he intends to meet again with the PNP-ACG about the matter and bared plans to talk to PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr.