2 ex-BI commissioners in P50-million extort try ordered detained

MANILA, Philippines — Former Bureau of Immigration (BI) commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles were ordered detained for plunder yesterday as they were posting bail for graft and other charges at the Sandiganbayan .

They were eventually brought to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City where they will be detained while facing trial for allegedly trying to extort P50 million from gambling tycoon Jack Lam in 2016.

Argosino and Robles are expected to challenge the Sandiganbayan’s decision finding probable cause for plunder and to move for bail.

Both personally appeared before the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division where they are also indicted for direct bribery and violation of Presidential Decree 46, which bars public officials from receiving gifts from private persons on any occasion.

Argosino and Robles each paid P60,000 for the direct bribery and violation of PD 46 charges, which would have allowed them to enjoy temporary liberty while undergoing trial for the offenses.

But as they were inside the Sandiganbayan premises, the anti-graft court issued its decision also finding enough evidence to have them undergo trial for plunder, a non-bailable offense.

Also ordered detained was retired police officer Wenceslao Sombero Jr., who was allegedly involved in the extortion try.

The cases against Argosino and Robles filed by the Office of the Ombudsman last month stemmed from their alleged receipt of P50 million in bribe money from Lam in exchange for the release of 1,316 Chinese nationals working at Lam’s Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark, Pampanga.

The Chinese nationals were arrested by the BI on Nov. 24, 2016 on charges of overstaying and violations of immigration laws.

Graft investigators said the bribe money was handed by Sombero to Argosino and Robles at the City of Dreams Hotel and Casino in Parañaque on Nov. 27, 2016.