The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday defended its recent raid on an alleged scam hub in Malate, Manila, stating that the operation, which led to the apprehension of 69 foreign nationals, was conducted lawfully.
The operation, which took place in a 40-story tower in Malate, drew scrutiny from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). It labeled the operation “flawed” after the foreigners were released due to lack of legal grounds for detention.
PAOCC clarified it had no involvement in the raid.
PNP spokesperson and Public Information Office chief Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said that the PAOCC was not needed in this operation, as the case involved alleged fraud rather than trafficking, which would have required coordination with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
“With due respect to PAOCC, it is perhaps not appropriate for government agencies to question the operations of other agencies,” said Fajardo, addressing the commission’s critique.
The PNP noted that security officers from the tower and local barangay officials were present during the operation to ensure transparency, with officers equipped with body-worn cameras.
“I spoke earlier with the Regional Director of the National Capital Region Police Office and the director of the Anti-Cybercrime Group. They are standing by their police operations,” Fajardo added.
The Bureau of Immigration is reportedly awaiting the formal turnover of the detained foreign nationals as investigations continue.
