BALANGA, BATAAN – Central One Bataan denied the allegations of human trafficking and illegal activities and announced that it has filed a motion to quash the search warrant used in the October 31 raid during a joint meeting by the provincial government held at the Tourism Pavillon in Balanga, Bataan on Wednesday, November 13.
The company’s legal counsel, Cherry Ann Dela Cruz, stressed that Central One operates legally within the frameworks set by the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and holds a gaming license from AFAB. However, Central One operates strictly as a business process outsourcing (BPO) company and does not operate Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said, following the discussion, that it is clear that AFAB holds jurisdiction over Central One Bataan, as the facility is located under AFAB’s authority, not PAGCOR’s.
Joseph Lobo, senior offshore gaming officer in the Policy Research Division of PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, cited Executive Order 13 which outlines the jurisdiction over online gaming by PAGCOR, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), and AFAB.
“The only thing we issued is the list we have. Since the discussion, It was clear and established that Central One Bataan is under or locator by AFAB. And under Executive Order 13 which defines what is the jurisdiction of online gaming by PAGCOR, CEZA, APECO, and AFAB, it was clear that AFAB should have jurisdiction since it is their locator and not PAGCOR,” Lobo said.
Dela Cruz also refuted claims that foreign nationals at Central One were victims of trafficking, stating that all foreign workers were legally employed with valid alien employment permits and visas.
The raid was conducted under the premise of investigating human trafficking, leading to the arrest of 42 foreign nationals, including an Indonesian, Handoyo Salman, and three Malaysians.
Salman is wanted by the Indonesian National Police for allegedly distributing or transmitting electronic information and documents related to gambling and money laundering.
The three Malaysians, whose names are withheld to protect their identity, traveled to the Philippines to work after being penalized for offenses related to fraud and illegal gambling operations.
In a media report, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval said that the foreign nationals’ respective governments inform the BI of their fugitive status once they learn the individuals are in the Philippines.
Sandoval said that it is the foreign governments that designate them as fugitives due to ongoing cases in their home countries.
The BI, on November 7, ordered the release of 41 foreign workers on recognizance, with Bataan 2nd District Representative Albert Garcia acting as their guarantor.
Dela Cruz said she and Garcia took responsibility for the welfare of the 41 foreign nationals excluding Salman.
“Hindi sila nakalabas, hindi namin sila pinyansahan kung wala kaming lehitimong dahilan para payagan mag piyansa. Especially in this case na sinasabi nilang rescued. Kung rescued sila, bakit niyo sila ikukulong? Inako namin ni Congressman Albert yung responsibilidad na pangalagaan yung 41 foreign nationals,” Dela Cruz said.
“Ang recognizance kasi inaako yung responsibilidad na siguraduhin na hindi makakatakas, hindi makakatakbo, hindi makakagawa ng ano mang krimen, anything. You take full responsibility for them. So hindi ito intervention, hindi nag intervene si Congressman Albert. Nag recognizance kami. As much as I want to do the recognizance myself, kinakailangan may politician or officers of government na would aid me in the recognizance. Pinakiusap ko yun kay Cong Abet dahil naniniwala kaming illegal. Hindi sila nirescue, hindi sila biktima,” Dela Cruz added.
Governor Joet Garcia led the meeting which followed testimonies from 12 employees who claimed they were mistreated by law enforcement officers during the raid operation conducted by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Garcia said that while they are still reviewing the issues, several employees have already sought assistance from the public attorney’s office (PAO) including the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
“Malinaw sa kanila na wala silang ginagawang iligal and yet yun pa ang kanilang naranasan. Okay na ang mainspect, okay na siguro yung ma-raid pero yung maabuso katulad nung kinwento nila at matrato ng ganon ng ating mga law enforcement agencies, yun ang nakakabahala. At kikilos ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan kasama ng ating mga opisiyal para macorrect ito,” Garcia said.
On November 5, PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio was suspended after slapping a Filipino worker which was caught in CCTV footage. He later issued a public apology.
Following the raid, employees of Central One received their paychecks, as they were due around the time of the operation. Central One also said that it will continue to release paychecks to its employees and provide support due to trauma, including their 13th month pay, until the issue is resolved.
Garcia said Central One appears to be a legitimate BPO and mentioned that when they inspected the facility in June together with the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), they were provided with clarification not only from the management but also from the workers.