Castro still Gonzales' eyes and ears at BID

Cebu City assistant prosecutor Mary Ann Castro will continue to be the "eyes and ears" of Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales at the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation regional office despite the allegations of her meddling in the affairs of the agency.

Saying that Castro has not been relieved, Gonzales clarified that she is still detailed at the agency to provide legal assistance. Several days ago, Gonzales was reported to have recalled Castro back to her mother unit, the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.

According to Gonzales, what he ordered was for Castro to cease from intervening with the BID affairs and to cease from acting like an agent of the bureau.

But Gonzales said Castro is under the situation in which she could be relieved anytime. "I encourage detailment (at the BID) because they also serve as my eyes and ears there."

In fact, Gonzales explained it is not only in Cebu that he has prosecutors detailed at the BID because of several reports he received on alleged anomalies in the agency. He added that he already ordered an investigation into the alleged moneymaking ventures of BID regional director Geronimo Rosas and other employees.

Gonzales said he received several complaints of the alleged extortion activities at the BID regional office. Lucile Mendoza Singh, wife of an Indian national whom Rosas and his cohorts allegedly extorted for money, was one of those who filed complaints before Gonzales and the Ombudsman.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña was reported to have asked BID commissioner Alipio Fernandez last Wednesday to relieve Rosas pending the investigation of the case.

Although he denied the report, the mayor said he only called up Fernandez after a woman asked for help in the processing of her documents.

The mayor said he has nothing against Rosas but admitted that he received several reports of anomalies at the BID and other agencies like the Bureau of Customs. - Fred P. Languido/LPM