The Department of Justice (DOJ) is eyeing to deport the 42 Chinese nationals arrested in a cybercrime hub in Pasay City.
According to a “24 Oras” report on Friday, the individuals were brought to a Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
It was discovered that the suspects were Chinese nationals, “bosses,” who had been arrested in a previous operation.
“Ito kasing 42 ay dating nahanap na sa Clark at sa Las Piñas na raid. The fact na nakita ulit natin sila sa Pasay, ibig sabihin, talagang naghahanap sila ng trabaho dito at ang pagtrabaho na ito ay pagiiscam sa mga tao. Undesirable aliens po sila kaya gusto natin sila ipadeport,” said DOJ Undersecretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano.
Meanwhile, the arrested individuals filed a Writ of Habeas Corpus. The Pasay RTC denied the write application after an hour-long hearing.
“Chinallenge po nila ‘yung legal custody ng mga law enforcement agencies na nag-raid doon sa Pasay. Thankfully, ‘yung judge in this case he saw the wisdom ng ating Secretary kung saan inilagay ang legal custody sa Bureau of Immigration,” said Justice Department Spokesperson Undersecretary Mico Clavano.
While NBI Pasay had physical custody of the 42 Chinese nationals, the foreigners were under the the legal custody of the Bureau of Immigration, which is about to start their deportation process to China.
“Dahil sa violation nila sa immigration laws, yun po ang magiging basis sa deportation nila. Ang gusto lang natin ma-achieve sa mga raids na ito ay mapatigil ang mga scams o scam hub na alam nating napakadami na dito sa Pilipinas,” Clavano said.
GMA Integrated News is still trying to get a statement from the arrested Chinese nationals. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News
