Suspects in P50-M bribery case to remain at Bagong Diwa

The three men who figured in the P50-million bribery scandal in the Bureau of Immigration shall remain in their detention cells at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, according to the Sandiganbayan.

In a court order, the antigraft court’s Sixth Division denied the motion of former police officer Wenceslao Sombero Jr. to be transferred to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The court took note of the comment of police custodians that the Crame facility was only for arrested suspects on a “temporary or transient basis.” Resigned Immigration Deputy  Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles also previously sought a transfer to Camp Crame but later withdrew their motion.

Argosino and Robles were accused of demanding a P50-million payoff from Macau gaming tycoon Jack Lam on Nov. 27, 2016, in exchange for the release of 1,316 Chinese nationals who were caught working for him without proper visas. Sombero delivered the money to the two officials.—DJ YAP