Building condemns police raid, alleges unlawful arrests and disabling of CCTV
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Building condemns police raid, alleges unlawful arrests and disabling of CCTV
MANILA -- The Century Tower in Malate, Manila, has expressed condemnation of the police raid that occurred in their building on October 29, alleging that law enforcement officers disabled CCTV cameras and executed unlawful arrests during the operation, which targeted an alleged scam hub.
MANILA -- The Century Tower in Malate, Manila, has expressed condemnation of the police raid that occurred in their building on October 29, alleging that law enforcement officers disabled CCTV cameras and executed unlawful arrests during the operation, which targeted an alleged scam hub.
"Century Tower strongly condemns the recent police operations on its premises, which have caused substantial damage, severely affected its operations, and restricted access for all its tenants," said Atty. Baby Perian Arcega, legal counsel for the Century Tower Property Management Office.
"Century Tower strongly condemns the recent police operations on its premises, which have caused substantial damage, severely affected its operations, and restricted access for all its tenants," said Atty. Baby Perian Arcega, legal counsel for the Century Tower Property Management Office.
According to Arcega, the raid was executed under a search warrant issued by a Manila court and primarily focused on the building’s 23rd floor. The police aimed to investigate Vertex Digital Entertainment Technologies Inc., which, Arcega noted, had already vacated the premises.
According to Arcega, the raid was executed under a search warrant issued by a Manila court and primarily focused on the building’s 23rd floor. The police aimed to investigate Vertex Digital Entertainment Technologies Inc., which, Arcega noted, had already vacated the premises.
"This company is no longer in this building since the end of last year. This was a legitimate company operating before with a license issued by the government as an offshore gaming company, but it has ceased operation," she said.
"This company is no longer in this building since the end of last year. This was a legitimate company operating before with a license issued by the government as an offshore gaming company, but it has ceased operation," she said.
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Arcega emphasized the building owner's longstanding legitimacy in the real estate industry.
Arcega emphasized the building owner's longstanding legitimacy in the real estate industry.
"The company that owns it has been in the real estate business for over 25 years and has had no illegal operations whatsoever... It appears that they have been fed inaccurate or outdated information by an informant," she added.
"The company that owns it has been in the real estate business for over 25 years and has had no illegal operations whatsoever... It appears that they have been fed inaccurate or outdated information by an informant," she added.
The operation led to the arrest of 75 individuals, who, according to Arcega, were detained for 48 hours, despite the legal limit of 36 hours.
The operation led to the arrest of 75 individuals, who, according to Arcega, were detained for 48 hours, despite the legal limit of 36 hours.
"The subject matter of the search warrant is the 23rd floor of this building, but they reached up to the 32nd floor, arresting people on that floor as well," she stated.
"The subject matter of the search warrant is the 23rd floor of this building, but they reached up to the 32nd floor, arresting people on that floor as well," she stated.
She further noted that 74 individuals were released without charges, while one person faced a kidnapping charge, although the details of that charge remain unclear.
She further noted that 74 individuals were released without charges, while one person faced a kidnapping charge, although the details of that charge remain unclear.
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Additionally, their ability to monitor events was compromised due to the disabling of the CCTV cameras.
Additionally, their ability to monitor events was compromised due to the disabling of the CCTV cameras.
"There's footage showing that CCTV cameras were disabled when the search warrant was executed by law enforcement...The law enforcement changed the angle of the CCTV cameras," Arcega said.
"There's footage showing that CCTV cameras were disabled when the search warrant was executed by law enforcement...The law enforcement changed the angle of the CCTV cameras," Arcega said.
She also pointed out that the police continue to maintain a presence in the building.
She also pointed out that the police continue to maintain a presence in the building.
"Since October 29, they have camped on one floor; at least they are still there and still outside, which is why we have limited access to the building," she added.
"Since October 29, they have camped on one floor; at least they are still there and still outside, which is why we have limited access to the building," she added.
The raid and the ongoing police presence have created an atmosphere of anxiety among the building’s tenants, according to Arcega.
The raid and the ongoing police presence have created an atmosphere of anxiety among the building’s tenants, according to Arcega.
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She clarified that Century Tower hosts commercial tenants up to the 25th floor, with residential tenants occupying higher levels.
She clarified that Century Tower hosts commercial tenants up to the 25th floor, with residential tenants occupying higher levels.
"We urge the police to allow free access to the building to allow the building to go back to operation kasi may mga businesses pong naapektuhan," she said.
"We urge the police to allow free access to the building to allow the building to go back to operation kasi may mga businesses pong naapektuhan," she said.
They believe the series of events was orchestrated by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
They believe the series of events was orchestrated by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group raided the building on October 29, targeting foreign nationals allegedly involved in persuading others to invest in cryptocurrency scams.
The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group raided the building on October 29, targeting foreign nationals allegedly involved in persuading others to invest in cryptocurrency scams.
ABS-CBN News is trying to reach PNP-ACG for a statement.
ABS-CBN News is trying to reach PNP-ACG for a statement.
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