Gatchalian seeks probe into foreign human traffickers in Parañaque

A SENATOR has filed a resolution seeking a probe into human trafficking and other scams by syndicates within a posh subdivision in Parañaque City, following a suspicious influx of Mainland Chinese in the village.

“There is a need to determine the lapses and loopholes in government processes and national security that led to increased crimes mostly involving foreign nationals, which poses a serious threat to security and safety of Filipino citizens,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said in a statement on Tuesday.

He filed Senate Resolution No. 1032 on May 21, which seeks a probe in aid of legislation into these crimes after homeowners and law enforcers nabbed 10 suspected Chinese fugitives, who were also linked to a raid on a gaming compound in Bamban, Tarlac.

The Senate is in the middle of an investigation into crimes linked to POGO and potential Chinese espionage associate with these gaming outfits.

The senator’s office on May 8 received a letter from homeowners at Multinational Village, appealing to national security authorities to look into the uptick in foreigners that could be behind human trafficking and other crimes.

“It will be a great disservice to the people, as well as dereliction of duty in international treaties and conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory or a member of if the government fails to protect citizens from serious illegal activities prevailing within a gated village,” Mr. Gatchalian said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez