2 BI execs given 24 hrs to explain ‘extortion’ try on Jack Lam
Two associate commissioners of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) have been given 24 hours to explain allegations of extorting P50 million from Macau-based online gaming tycoon Jack Lam.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime H. Morente gave the order following the Dec. 10, 2016 column of Ramon Tulfo in the Philippine Daily Inquirer entitled “Rapacious Immigration Commissioners” which stated that two associate commissioners who are fraternity brothers of President Rodrigo Duterte extorted money from Lam in exchange for the release of 600 out of the 1,316 arrested Chinese nationals working illegally in the country.
READ: Rapacious immigration commissioners
While the column did not identify the two associate commissioners, Morente’s memorandum cited the column and directed the order to Associate Commissioners Al C. Argosino and Michael B. Robles.
He also ordered the acting Immigration Intelligence Chief retired Police Director Charles T. Calima Jr. to explain.
Calima was also ordered to explain after he was mentioned in the same column to be present during the meeting with Lam and the two commissioners for the payment of the P50 million.
READ: 2 BI execs told to explain alleged P50M extortion try on Jack Lam
Calima was supposedly present during the meeting to monitor the transaction.
“On the matter of the December 10, 2016 column of Ramon Tulfo in the Philippine Daily Inquirer article entitled “Rapacious Immigration Commissioners” imputing highly controversial allegations against Bureau of Immigration officials, I have directed Associate Commissioner Al C. Argosino, Associate Commissioner Michael B. Robles and Acting BI Intelligence Chief Police Director Charles T. Calima Jr (Ret) to submit their written explanation within 24 hours of receipt of my memorandum,” Morente said.
“This initiative is separate from the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) investigation ordered by Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. We will support this and any other parallel investigation on the matter,” Morente added. RAM/rga
