POGO firm seeks release of 5 Chinese

MANILA, Philippines — A lawyer for a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) firm in Las Piñas City yesterday sought the release of five Chinese who were among over 2,000 suspects arrested by police during a raid last month.

In an interview with reporters, Ananias Vargas, counsel for Xinchuang Network Technology Inc., said the company filed a petition for the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of the Chinese who were ordered released by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Vargas said the Chinese have yet to be freed from detention by the police Anti-Cybercrime Group.

The Chinese nationals are facing charges of anti-trafficking in persons law.

“We are asking for a writ of habeas corpus for the police to present the Chinese in court. We would like to know why they are still in police custody,” Vargas told reporters.

Vargas also presented certifications signed by the Bureau of Immigration dated July 11, showing that the Chinese nationals who underwent inquest proceedings before the DOJ “are not in the BI’s hold departure order or watch list.”

Police maintained that the Chinese were undocumented foreigners since “they do not have passports and other proper documents.”