A mix of Brazilians and Malaysians who have the same names as eight of the Bataan workers freed by BI flew from the Clark International Airport on November 8, bound for Cebu
PAMPANGA, Philippines – Eight foreign nationals from the raided gaming hub in Central One in Bataan, who have been granted bail on recognizance by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), have left on a private plane bound for Cebu, a passenger manifest obtained by Rappler shows.
This is the latest development in the controversial operation that has pitted local officials against law enforcement, with Bataan 2nd District Representative Albert Garcia publicly defending the Central One workers against what he said was a “nightmare” raid led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). PAOCC and the police had a search warrant to conduct an operation on Central One on suspicions that it was operating an illegal scam hub.
Garcia joined Central One’s lawyer Cherry Dela Cruz in acting as guarantors for a total of 41 Central One foreign workers, which resulted in the BI granting them bail on recognizance, or temporary freedom without having to post bail. The workers claimed they did not have enough money to produce the bail bond. The private plane to Cebu puts in doubt the indigency claim of the foreigners.
Rappler obtained the passenger manifest showing that eight foreigners, a mix of Brazilians and Malaysians who have the same names as eight of the Bataan workers freed by BI, flew from the Clark International Airport (CRK) on November 8, bound for Cebu. The Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation (LIPAD), which manages and operates CRK, confirmed the flight to Rappler, and the number of the passengers on the private plane.
“Confirmed private flight from CRK to Cebu with eight passengers. We cannot validate the nationality of the passengers,” LIPAD corporate communications told Rappler on Monday, November 18. Asked for the whereabouts of her clients, for whom she also acted as guarantor to the BI, Dela Cruz declined to comment.
PAOCC is closely monitoring the whereabouts of the foreigners, especially because Malacañang, via Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, already ordered the deportation of the Central One hub workers.
Bersamin’s memorandum to the BI directing the bureau “to facilitate the summary deportation of the foreign nationals apprehended,” however, was signed only on November 12, or five days after they were granted bail on recognizance by the BI on November 7.
It’s unclear whether Bersamin’s memorandum supersedes the bail. Rappler asked the BI for a status on the Central One workers but we have yet to get a response. We will update this story once we do.
Part of the condition of their freedom is that they should report to the BI every second and fourth Monday of the month, the next being on November 25.
The deportation of 42 foreign nationals followed a directive from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on November 12.
Handoyo Salman, an Indonesian national, is the only remaining Central One foreign worker detained at PAOCC’s Pasay facility because he is wanted in Indonesia for allegedly transmitting documents related to gambling and money laundering.
Dela Cruz maintained that the 41 foreign nationals remain in their guidance and custody.
Dela Cruz said that the 41 foreign nationals were “victims” of PAOCC, not of human trafficking. Dela Cruz said that the foreigners were detained for over 36 hours without being informed of the reasons for their arrest. They were denied their constitutional rights, including not being informed of the charges against them and not having their Miranda rights read, she said.
“No one escaped as reported by PAOCC, no one wants to leave. They have been under so much stress, supposedly rescued but charged without knowing why,” Dela Cruz told Rappler on November 18.
“Their rights were trampled on, they were brought to Manila without knowing why, and no one informed them that they were arrested and charged. They didn’t even know what case until they were turned over to BI. Not even reading to them their Miranda rights. They were detained for more than 36 hours, not knowing for what,” she added.
PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said case build-up is ongoing against Central One, a facility authorized under Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan. They are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a provider of “interactive and online recreational and amusement games and similar activities and live streaming content.”
“PAOCC will monitor the progress of the directive issued by the Executive Secretary for BI to facilitate the deportation process,” Cruz said. “Additionally, it will closely monitor the development of the case against Central One being prepared by the PNP CIDG with the assistance of the DOJ-IACAT.”
The raid on Central One was part of an investigation into the company allegedly posing as a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm but was suspected of operating illegal Philippine offshore gaming activities. Companies that provide ancillary services to POGOs and other offshore gaming licenses, including AFAB, are included in the ban stated under Executive Order No. 74. – Rappler.com
