Five Chinese nationals accused police of extorting P4 million during a Manila raid on a POGO, offering legal help in exchange for securing their release
Five Chinese nationals arrested in a Manila raid on a suspected Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator claim that Philippine National Police (PNP) officers tried to extort P4 million in exchange for legal help to secure their release.
The Chinese nationals alleged that the extortion attempt occurred after they declined to sign a false document labeling them as victims of human trafficking. This is based on their sworn affidavits which were cited by Bilyonaryo News Channel.
According to the BNC report, the detainees have requested the suspension of the PNP officials from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), who were operating under NCRPO Chief Major Gen. Sidney Hernia.
However, PNP officials have denied the claims. Major General Hernia, in a statement, quoted by a PNA article asserted, "I will not tolerate any wrongdoing within our ranks, and I fully support a transparent investigation into these allegations."
The detainees, who had refused to sign false human trafficking documents, were later able to hire their own lawyers after paying ₱500,000 each.
About The Ermita Raid, And Its Controversies
The controversial raid happened on October 29, 2024, at a suspected POGO facility located inside the Century Peak Tower in Ermita, Manila, which police authorities described as a raid towards the “mother of all POGOs.”
Police officers reported that the suspects were allegedly involved in multiple scams, including cryptocurrency and romance frauds, resulting in the seizure of numerous devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and various SIM cards. Despite the evidence, the PNP faced a dilemma when the BI declined to take custody of the detained foreign nationals, ultimately leading to their release.
Administrators of Century Peak Tower, the building where the raid occurred, claimed they had no knowledge of illegal POGO activities in the premises.
The Ermita raid saw around 69 foreigners - 34 Indonesian, 10 Malaysian, and 25 Chinese nationals nabbed during the operations which took place at the Century Peak Tower. Building management is planning to press charges against the Anti-Cybercrime Group of the PNP and the NCRPO.
Meanwhile, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) officials labeled the operation as “flawed,” citing reports of foreign suspects being released without legal proceedings. .They also added that they were “not consulted nor informed regarding this operations” and distanced themselves from it.
“The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission was not part of the raid that was spearheaded by the PNP NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) and the PNP ACG. We were never consulted nor informed regarding this operation. We never release any foreign nationals caught in POGOs. Please do not associate PAOCC with flawed operations,” said the PAOCC statement which was cited in a PNA report.
It was reported on November 6 that officers from the PNP-ACG were removed from their posts for allegedly tampering with a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera during the post-raid investigation on October 31.
Major General Ronnie Francis Cariaga, ACG chief, confirmed the removal of three officers involved in a recent incident and ordered a thorough investigation. While expressing concern for the officers’ well-being, Cariaga emphasized a strict stance against misconduct within the force, promising sanctions if liability is proven. The officers now face administrative proceedings under the Personnel Holding and Accounting Section (PHAS) of the ACG. The investigation aims to fully uncover any wrongdoing and assess the necessary disciplinary actions.
“The PNP ACG is concerned about the welfare of the police officers, but we take this incident very seriously and will not tolerate such actions. Sanctions will be imposed if these police officers are found liable,” he said in November 6.
The incident has sparked public concern and raised questions about the transparency and accountability of law enforcement agencies in the Philippines.
But the PNP asserted that the operation was legitimate, while acknowledging that issues were raised regarding the implementation of the cyber warrant and possible harassment of tenants during the operation.
NCRPO also defended the raid, adding that it aimed at executing cyber warrants to combat cybercrime, not anti-human trafficking.
The NCRPO stated that discovering foreign nationals on-site was incidental to the raid's main purpose, and any subsequent releases fall under judicial procedures, not the Bureau of Immigration’s responsibility. Reports indicate that employees from closed POGO hubs were working at Century Peak Tower.
Read related article: Here’s why PAOCC described Manila POGO raid as “flawed”
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