Remulla eyes filing of raps vs. witnesses in Las Piñas raid

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said they are eyeing to file complaints against the individuals rescued from alleged human trafficking operations in Las Piñas who refused to testify against suspects in the case.

“Kaya malamang ang amin ngayong gawin... ay ide-demanda din na namin ang mga testigo na ayaw tumestigo ... ide-demanda natin ng perjury… obstruction of justice and perjury,” Remulla said at a media briefing.

(Now we will file complaints against witnesses who refuse to testify. We will charge them for perjury and obstruction of justice.)

Perjury is the crime of lying under oath.

He said they are also looking into implementing a policy where statements given in anti-trafficking cases can no longer be recanted.

“Kaya ngayon dapat magkaintindihan talaga, ngayon kakausapin namin ang mga piskal na ‘wag na pumayag, na kung mayroon man silang mga salitang binitawan dati at pinirmahan, ay panagutin na sila sa salita nila,” he said.

(That’s why there should be an understanding. We will ask fiscals to hold individuals who already gave their statements or signed their statements, accountable.)

“’Yun ang problema eh, tumestigo na, nagreklamo ka, may kaso na tapos ‘pag puwede na umuwi, gusto mo na umuwi, ayaw mo nang tumestigo. E di nabitin lahat,” he added.

(This is the problem. If they testified or complained and then there’s a case already and then they can go home, they will choose to go home. They will no longer testify. Then the case is held up.)

Coordinate movements

Meanwhile, Remulla said he met with the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) chief Police Brigadier General Syndye Hernia on Tuesday, where they both agreed to coordinate future movements.

This came after the Justice Secretary slammed the PNP-ACG over its lack of coordination with the Department of Justice, leading to lack of evidence and the release of five suspects.

“At nagkasundo kami kung ano ang kinakailangang gawin sa mga susunod na panahon upang walang mabibitin na kaso,” Remulla said.

[We agreed on the proper steps in the future so that there won't be any cases left hanging.]

Remulla earlier said that many pending cases could not be filed due to lack of evidence.

When asked about the supposed blunders of the PNP-ACG, Remulla had said that the policemen did not cite specific acts or specific grounds to arrest the said individuals.

Remulla said he will meet with Hernia again on Friday.

Authorities also rescued almost 3,000 individuals during the raid. Of this, 1,534 were Filipinos and 1,190 were from Malaysia, Singapore, China, and Vietnam.

The Justice Secretary said they are processing the return of 1,000 foreign nationals who are still in the country.

“Kinakausap ang mga embahada ng mga ahensya upang maiuwi na yung kanilang mga tauhan,” Remulla said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News