Manila, Aug. 20 -- The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Thursday rejected the Chinese Embassy's criticism of the government's operation at Sanjia Steel in Misamis Oriental in May, stressing that the inter-agency action was based on alleged violations of Philippine immigration and labor laws and was not an affront to any nationality.

In a statement, the PAOCC said the embassy's remarks showed "a clear disregard for diplomatic decorum and the sovereign laws of the Philippines" after it questioned the treatment of Chinese workers during the operation.

The PAOCC said the Sanjia Steel operation was a law enforcement action carried out by government agencies within their respective mandates, with the Armed Forces of the...