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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 5 Chinese arrested at POGO in Las Pinas City given more time to refute human trafficking charges

5 Chinese arrested at POGO in Las Pinas City given more time to refute human trafficking charges

Published Jul 19, 2023 07:12 am
Five Chinese nationals who were arrested on June 27, 2023 during a raid of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility in Las Pinas City were given until Aug. 9 to refute the human trafficking charges filed against them. Lawyer Melvin Bermudez, legal counsel of the five foreigners, said the extension of time to file counter-affidavits was granted during a schedule hearing at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, July 19. Bermudez said that on top of the language barrier, he cited the detention of his foreigner-clients as one of the difficulties in the submission of the counter-affidavits. The five Chinese nationals charged were identified as Li Jiacheng, Xiao Liu, Yan Jiayong, Duan Haozhuan and LP Hongkun. They were arrested during a raid conducted by operatives of the Philippine National Police- Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) at a POGO facility in Las Pinas City where around 2,700 persons were rescued including Filipinos and foreigners who are alleged to be human trafficking victims. Bermudez said he had earlier filed a petition for habeas corpus before the Las Pinas City regional trial court (RTC) in behalf of his clients.  He did not disclose the status of the petition before the trial court. Earlier, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said that those arrested and rescued during the June 27 raid in Las Pinas City are in the custody of the Bureau of Immigration.
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