CAGAYAN de Oro City — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Department of National Defense (DND) have dismissed allegations that the government's raid on Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental was politically motivated, insisting that the operation was carried out to protect public welfare and address alleged violations by the company.
Speaking during a press conference at Camp Evangelista on June 3, PAOCC Executive Director and Undersecretary Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the commission's actions were anchored on law enforcement and community protection—not politics.
Acorda joined Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at the headquarters of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, where they honored military personnel before addressing questions about the May 15 raid on the steel manufacturing firm.
The operation stemmed from allegations involving 69 undocumented Chinese nationals and environmental concerns linked to the company's operations.
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While the Department of Justice later ordered the release of the Chinese nationals, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) confirmed that it had canceled the company's Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
Both Acorda and Teodoro rejected claims that the raid was politically motivated.
According to Acorda, PAOCC acted primarily to safeguard communities and workers who may have been affected by the company's alleged violations.
He added that the commission coordinated with the DND because the facility is located within the jurisdiction of the PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority.
"Nagpatulong kami sa kanya (kay Teodoro) kasi government agency yan, government entity yan, so nagpaalam din kami," Acorda said.
He stressed that politics has never been part of PAOCC's mandate.
"With regards to pamomolitika, wala po sa PAOCC 'yan. Purely law enforcement 'yan," he emphasized.
For his part, Teodoro said questions about political motives should only arise after the alleged violations have been addressed.
"Hindi ko kailangang mag-prove ng motive kung establisado na ang nangyaring violation. Kung anong violation, makukuwestiyon pa ang motibo? Pero ito, maliwanag pa sa noo ko," the Defense Secretary said.
Teodoro maintained that the alleged violations are supported by facts and evidence, while claims of political motivation remain speculative.
The officials reiterated that the government's actions against Sanjia were based on law enforcement and regulatory compliance, underscoring that the operation was intended to uphold public welfare and accountability.
