By Clarist Zablan
(August 7, 2023) – The justice department has sought administrative cases against four Las Piñas judges who approved the release of some 600 foreign workers from a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) facility under its custody, the justice secretary said on Monday.
Jesus Crispin Remulla opposed the regional trial court judges’ move to grant the writ of habeas corpus to the foreign nationals, who were placed under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) following a raid on a POGO hub in Las Piñas, without a “colatilla” usually given to foreigners believed to have violated an immigration law.
“I have instructed the Bureau of Immigration to file necessary cases against the judges who willingly granted the habeas corpus petition without any colatilla for not releasing the persons,” Remulla told reporters.
“It seems to be an ignorance of the matter that the courts should not step into issues where the sovereignty of the country is involved.”
The BI held more than 1,000 foreign POGO workers in Las Pinas, who were reportedly under investigations for violation of their visas.
The foreign workers were among the 2,700 POGO workers, suspected to be victims of human trafficking, whom police operatives rescued during the raid of Xinchuang Network Technology Inc.’s self-contained hub in Las Piñas City in June.
Eight fugitives, which included Chinese and Taiwanese nationals found working with Xinchuang, were caught during the ongoing raid.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) issued a cease and desist order against the POGO service provider last July.
Last month, Remulla defended the custody of more than 1,000 foreign POGO workers, saying the BI has legal custody over them indefinitely while they are still being investigated for possible violation of their visas.
(MM | With reports from Jenny Dongon, News5)
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