Ampatuan brothers placed on hold departure list

The Bureau of Immigration said a Chinese man who escaped its custody at the Club Fontana in Clark did not bribe anyone when he fled. INQUIRER FILE

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has issued seven hold departure orders (HDOs) against brothers Datu Sajid Islam and Andal Ampatuan Jr. and nine others who have been charged with violation of the Anti-Graft law before the Sandiganbayan over various “ghost” projects and procurement irregularities in Maguindanao in 2009.

BI Spokesperson Ma. Antonette Bucases-Mangrobang said aside from the two Ampatuans, subject of the HDOs are John Estelito Dollosa Jr.; Osmeña Bandilla; Landap Guinaid; Akmad Salim; Yahiya Kandong; Jaypee Piang; Anthony Kasan; Pendi Abpet; and Omar Camsa.

Mangrobang said the HDOs have been disseminated to their Immigration offices in the international airports and seaports to prevent them from leaving the country.

“Their names have already been incorporated in our system. They would not be allowed to leave the country.” She added that if they would attempt to pass through the Immigration counters they would be stopped and the BI would immediately report to the Sandiganbayan.

They are subjects of the criminal cases for violating the Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the falsification of public documents that are cited in the seven criminal case numbers SB-17-CRM-0762-0769; SB-17-CRM-0776; SB-17-CRM-0770 to 0771; SB-17-CRM-0777; SB-17-CRM-0775; SB-17-CRM-0772-0773; and SB-07-CRM-0774.

Both Sajid and Andal Jr. are principal accused in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre. Sajid, however has been granted bail in 2015.

Immigration records showed that Sajid Ampatuan’s last arrival was in May 15, 2009 and there has been no recent record of departure. But the BI said they are not certain if the Sajid Ampatuan on the travel record was the same person subject of the Sandiganbayan order since he has several namesakes.