Albao in an interview said the NBI filed syndicated estafa and online illegal gambling cases against 55 Chinese, three Malaysians, and a Filipina worker, three days after they were arrested on December 6, 2024 inside a 1.5 hectare agricultural warehouse in New Malitbog, Barangay Manay, Panabo City.
Albao said all the Chinese nationals including the Malaysians and a Filipina have been ordered released by the court based on the writ of habeas corpus.
On the other hand, according to Albao, aside from the court, the Bureau of Immigration also issued an order releasing them.
“So aside from the court, the immigration office also issued an order to release all the Chinese nationals,” he said.
Albao said the court cited that the NBI had no basis to detain those who have been arrested.
The official admitted that when they conducted the raid, the arrests were immediately made without presenting any evidence or documents to legally apprehend them.
He said the arrested individuals were released from their custody the same month in December after they received a release order from the local court in Panabo.
Albao, however, said all of the confiscated items during the operation are still in the possession of their office such as foreign IDs, a shotgun, computers, and other items.
Investigation is still ongoing as to the liability and involvement of the local officials.
It was earlier reported that the group had been running the scam hub for over three months.
NBI 11 Director Attorney Archie Albao
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