Arrested BI officer continues to work

The Bureau of Immigration officer caught in an entrapment operation for allegedly extorting money from a Korean businessman will continue to report for work despite the case he is now facing.

Immigration commissioner Marcelino Libanan said there is no basis yet to suspend immigration officer Dilausan Sarip Montor. Libanan, however, said Montor had already been placed under a floating status pending the result of a formal investigation.

Libanan has ordered as the panel of investigators from Manila to look into the case against Montor.

Libanan said he formed a panel to look into the alleged misconduct of Montor and two of their BI confidential agents, Daniel Gumba and Mabert Impas, who were caught in an entrapment operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation last Monday.

According to Libanan, although Gumba and Impas are contractual employees of the BI, they are not allowed to operate in the field as their work are supposed to be administrative.

Libanan added that he could not also recall issuing mission order for Montor and the two confidential agents to operate against the complainant, Lee Dong Bum.

Lee sought the NBI assistance after he was allegedly harassed by Montor and the two confidential agents. Montor allegedly demanded P500,000

from Lee to settle the problem of the immigration papers of his fellow Korean.

Montor, Gumba, Impas and Donna Derriaga, who allegedly brokered illegal transaction, were already charged with bribery, violation of the Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and R.A. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, before the Ombudsman. — Fred P. Languido/LPM