Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime group inspect a gaming room, one of many at an alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation hub in Almanza Uno, Las Pinas city on July 27, 2023, where around 2000 workers were rescued, 1,525 of them Filipinos, while the remaining victims came from China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Taiwan among others. (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering filing complaints of perjury and obstruction of justice against suspected trafficking victims who were rescued during a recent raid in Las Piñas City for their refusal to testify against the suspects.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Wednesday that the witnesses’ refusal was blocking the prosecution of cases.
“The problem is when the witness disappears, what will the prosecutor do? They release [the suspects] for further investigation. The problem is you complained, there’s a case, but once you go home, you no longer want to testify, so everything is left hanging,” he told reporters. Remulla said that he would talk to prosecutors about holding accountable witnesses who had agreed to testify and signed statements.
The DOJ was also eyeing the implementation of a policy preventing witnesses in antitrafficking cases from recanting their statements.
More than 2,700 workers were rescued during the June 27 raid conducted by the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) on Xinchuang Network Technology Inc. (formerly Hong Tai), a licensed Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) service provider, for violation of antitrafficking and cybercrime laws.
Five Chinese nationals believed to be the Pogo firm’s maintainers were arrested, but they were later ordered released by prosecutors for further investigation.
Ensure enough evidence
Remulla earlier castigated the PNP-ACG, saying it failed to heed the DOJ’s advice to conduct a case buildup before the raid to ensure there would be enough evidence against the suspects.
He said the supposed lack of evidence and coordination resulted in the release of the five Chinese suspects involved in human trafficking.
Remulla added that many pending cases could not be filed due to incomplete evidence.
But Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, said that contrary to Remulla’s claim, the PNP-ACG coordinated with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, headed by the DOJ during the raid.
“And in fact, prosecutors were present during the initial stages of the implementation of search warrants,” she added in a TV interview.
Remulla, meanwhile, said he would be meeting with PNP-ACG chief Police Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia on Friday, even as both agreed to strengthen coordination between their agencies.