The Philippine National Police (PNP) does not tolerate abuse or maltreatment of persons in its custody.
This was emphasized by PNP public information office chief Brigadier General. Redrico Maranan when asked to comment on allegations that 13 foreigners sustained injuries when they attempted to escape police custody after a raid on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) establishments inside a compound in Las Piñas City last week.
“The PNP does not tolerate such abuse. All possible efforts are done to ensure that persons under police custody are safe from harm or abuse,” he said in a statement over the weekend.
Maranan also said all the needs of the persons under their care are provided, even access to their respective embassies.
On June 27, police conducted a raid on the compound of Xinchuang Network Technologies, a POGO techno-hub in Barangay Almanza Uno, where more than 2,700 alleged trafficking victims were rescued. The company denied the trafficking reports.
Two days later, it was reported that 13 foreigners among the rescued workers were injured after an alleged attempt to escape police custody. Eight reportedly needed immediate medical attention.
Maranan’s statement was in reaction to the demand of the legal representatives of Xinchuang for the PNP to allow medical treatment for the injured foreigners.
The PNP meanwhile reported that four Chinese fugitives were among the rescued workers from the raid in a Las Piñas City.
Police spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said operatives “discovered four Chinese nationals who are wanted in China.”
Based on the record from our Chinese counterpart, the four were involved in fraud and drug trafficking,” Fajardo, quoted by a GMA News report, said.
Fajardo said the four Chinese fugitives are set to be turned over to the Chinese Embassy on Monday or in the next few days for their deportation.
According to Fajardo, the documentation of rescued workers is still ongoing.
She said among the challenges in the documentation are language barriers and the workers’ lack of cooperation with the authorities.
Fajardo said there are 17 foreign nationalities in the raid.
She said representatives from the embassies of China, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are already coordinating with the PNP to assist their respective citizens.