The lawyer representing Xinchuan Technologies, Inc. has demanded the Philippine National Police allow the treatment of three of the firm’s foreign workers still in police custody after they were seriously injured during a raid this week at their work compound in Las Pinas City.
In a letter to PNP National Capital Region Police Office Chief PMaj. Gen. Edgar Okubo, lawyer Ananias Christian Vargas condemned “this exhibition of police brutality against these unarmed foreign nationals, and declare that the use of force is not commensurate with the necessity to prevent escape, as you claim in your press statement.”
Combined operatives of the NCRPO and PNP Anti-Cybercrime and Intelligence groups raided the Xinjiang compound early on June 29, when Vargas said at least three of their workers suffered physical injuries “as a result of the severe mauling by your police officers on the ground.”
On Saturday, the PNP filed criminal charges against five Chinese nationals before the Department of Justice in relation to the raid of seven Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) establishments in Las Piñas early this week.
But Vargas, who furnished a copy of his letter to PNP Chief Benjamin Acorda and the heads of the ACG and Intelligence groups, said they also received reports “that one of them is suffering from a gunshot wound, albeit unverified until seen by a physician.”
A photo provided by Xinjiang showed one of their workers with bruises and lacerations on his legs and ankles, apparently from the clash with the police.
The lawyer asserted that police who cordoned off the compound refused entry to a medical team and an ambulance to treat the injured and take them to the hospital, condemning the move.
“We can only assume that they are taking orders from you (Gen. Okubo), their superiors, (and) the verbal opinion of the ACG’s Legal Affairs Division to allow entry of a medical team notwithstanding,” Vargas said.
“Our utter disgust over such inhumane treatment and conduct of your organization notwithstanding, we appeal to your humanity – or what remains of it – to allow these foreigners to be treated by medical professionals, regardless of whether they are my client’s workers or not,” he said.
“Time is running out for them, as wounds that remain untreated will most likely result to very serious complications that may become too late to address,” the lawyer added.
Vargas said he “eagerly anticipated” the prompt action from the PNP, including Anti-Cybercrime chief PBrig. Gen. Sidney S. Hernia and PMaj. Gen Jon Arnaldo, head of the PNP Directorate of Intelligence.