Remulla uncovers ‘sue me’ scheme

MANILA, Philippines — Some foreigners are suing themselves to avoid or delay deportation in a bid to continue their illegal activities in the Philippines, a modus operandi called “demanda me,” according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“We found that half of the detained foreigners filed cases against themselves so that they could not be deported,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said during yesterday’s Senate hearing on the DOJ’s proposed budget for 2024.

“There was a Japanese who filed 12 cases against himself so he could stay in the country. We studied every case, we dismissed every case,” he added.

Remulla was referring to around 400 foreigners being held at the Bureau of Immigration facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

Half of them are Chinese and have been awaiting deportation for five years as their cases remain pending in court.

Remulla explained that foreigners could not be deported unless their cases have been resolved, adding that the “demanda me” scheme delayed the deportation of undesirable aliens and foreigners involved in criminal activities.

“If there will be a law that could waive the cases so they can be immediately deported, it would be better,” he said.

Lawyers instrumental in the filing of “demanda me” cases should be penalized, according to Remulla.