NBI team to probe bribe raps vs immigration officials in Wang Bo case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has created a team to investigate the bribe allegations against officials of the Bureau of Immigration in connection with the deportation case of Wang Bo, the Chinese man wanted in his country for illegal gambling.

In Department Order No. 459, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima tasked five officials of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct the probe. They are lawyers Peter Chan Lugay, Arnold Diaz, Catherine Camposano-Remigio and Glenn Anthony Quimio and Agent Cesar Reyes.

Covered by the probe are “all concerned Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials” who handled the case of Wang from his arrest at the airport last Feb. 10 to the issuance of the resolution of BI Board of Commissioners last May 26 granting temporary liberty to the fugitive.

De Lima also ordered the team to interview Wang as well as private individuals involved in the filing of a dubious criminal complaint against Wang before the Manila prosecutor’s office.

De Lima earlier said she believed that the filing of cases in the Philippines against arrested foreigners is a scheme to avoid the suspects from being deported to their home country where they are facing a more serious offense.

The DOJ chief already confirmed earlier that Commissioner Siegfred Mison and Associate Commissioners Abdullah Mangotara and Gilbert Repizo would be covered by the probe.

“After the conclusion of the fact-finding investigation, the team shall evaluate the testimonies, documents and other evidence they have gathered in the course of such investigation and, thereafter, determine the possible criminal and administrative offense committed by any individuals in said case, if any, and file the necessary cases,” read the order.

De Lima gave the probe team 30 days to complete the probe and submit their report and findings.

The Justice chief ordered the investigation after issuing a resolution upholding the deportation of Wang.  But she has decided to defer Wang’s deportation.

“This case has raised questions and issues on how it was handled by the officials of the Bureau of Immigration, thus adding fuel to media reports of alleged bribery in this case… As such, the implementation of the summary deportation order is hereby held in abeyance until further orders from the Secretary of Justice,” the resolution further stated.

De Lima explained that Wang’s presence is needed in the country to shed light on the bribery allegations against the immigration officials.

She added Wang may also be summoned to appear in Congress to answer questions about reports that his money was used to bribe lawmakers to convince them to vote in favor of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Wang has been detained at the BI jail in Taguig City since his arrest on Feb. 10 upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Malaysia. The Chinese embassy sought the BI’s assistance in apprehending Wang, saying he was wanted for illegal gambling and that his passport had been cancelled.

His name was also automatically placed in the BI’s blacklist, which meant that he would be barred from returning to the country.

Then last March, the Board of Commissioners issued a summary deportation order against Wang.

Then on May 21, the BI board granted Wang’s request and removed his name from the blacklist.

Among the arguments raised was that there was no official document showing that Wang’s passport had been cancelled and there was no warrant for his arrest. All the three commissioners signed the May 21 resolution.

However, on the same day, the Chinese embassy informed Mison that Wang’s passport was indeed cancelled. The BI chief deferred the fugitive’s release.

But when the BI board convened again on May 26 to discuss Wang’s case, Mison was outvoted by the two associate commissioners who favored granting Wang temporary liberty.

The Chinese embassy in Makati City confirmed the criminal status of Wang, citing a warrant for his arrest, a written declaration of the cancellation of Wang’s passport issued by the Kenqu Public Security Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, and the criminal charge against him.