Manila: Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre has recommended the dismissal of two senior immigration officials over allegations they took a P50 million (Dh3.69 million) bribe from a Chinese casino operator.
Aguirre recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the firing of deputy immigration commissioners Al Arbosino and Michael Robles.
They allegedly accepted the bribe to prevent the deportation of workers of the casino operator.
The immigration officials, both lawyers, reportedly supported President Duterte during his recent campaign for the presidency, and were appointed to office just a few months ago.
“Due to the ongoing campaign by the government against corruption, it has been deemed that it is in the best interest that they [Arbosino and Robles] be relieved from their posts,” Aguirre said.
Argosin, Robles, in a statement issued on December 12 — a day before their sacking — said they were taking leave from their appointed tasks.
“In the interest of justice, and in our adherence to the rule of law, and our belief in the truth, we are taking a leave of absence from our duties as deputy commissioners of the Bureau of Immigration for thirty days effective today, December 12, 2016,” they said.
On the same day, the two surrendered to Aguirre P30 million (Dh2,2 million) of the supposed P50 million (Dh3,69 million) bribe they took from Macau Chinese casino operator Jack Lam.
The incident highlights the strong influence gambling operators have on officials tasked to regulate and monitor the entry of foreigners into the country as well as the volume of transactions taking place inside casinos.
On December 4, Duterte had ordered the police to arrest Jack Lam for bribing government officials to secure the release of 1,316 Chinese casino employees who are working without proper documents.
Duterte, through National Police Director-General Rolando dela Rosa, also threatened Lam with charges of economic sabotage.
Lam owns the Jimei Group which operates a number of casinos in Macau as well as in Hong Kong and the Philippines. It runs the Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino and a golf course in Pampanga.
Lam’s whereabouts is unknown since Duterte issued an arrest order against him.
Earlier, the matter had caught the attention of officials in Beijing who said they would closely watch the case.
“We are highly concerned about the Philippine side’s detention of a large number of Chinese citizens. We will continue to monitor closely the development of the situation, keep in touch with the Philippine side, and urge the Philippine side to properly settle the matter without delay,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.
Reports say casinos are being used by unscrupulous groups for money laundering.
Casino transactions are not monitored as tightly by the Philippine government, compared to other industries.
