The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to share with the bureau the information on the raid last Oct. 29 of an alleged scam hub in Manila where 69 foreigners were reportedly arrested.

“The BI has been actively pursuing to process the detainees in compliance with regulations yet the PNP has been withholding access to the necessary information and reports,” the BI said in a statement issued on Saturday, Nov. 2.

It said it "has been in active communication with the PNP through multiple correspondences and continues to engage in discussions to ensure a smooth and efficient turnover process."

Last Oct. 29, the PNP's Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) conducted an operation in Malate, Manila that resulted in the arrest of the 69 foreigners who are mostly Indonesians and Chinese nationals.

Since the operation, the bureau said it "has not yet received official custody of these individuals.”

“Following established procedures and protocols, the BI awaits the necessary documentation from the PNP to initiate the formal turnover process, as has been previously communicated,” it said.

It noted that the required documentation includes “all available information related to the subjects’ identities, and the affidavit of arrest, detailing the circumstances of apprehension.”

“Foreign victims of human trafficking shall also be assessed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT),” it also said.

“BI may commence receiving legal custody upon receipt of said information,” it added.

The BI said the documents and the information are “essential for the BI to conduct thorough investigations and file appropriate immigration charges against the subjects.”

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has already called the operation of the PNP-ACG as "flawed due to the lack of coordination with the PAOCC and that there were allegedly foreign suspects who released."