DOJ chief orders raps filed vs diamond smuggling suspect

MANILA, Philippines - The President Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) scored a crucial legal victory against suspected big-time diamond smuggler after Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera junked a resolution of a panel of state prosecutors dismissing the charges against British national Siu Ting Alpha Kwok, who was arrested last year with P250 million worth of diamonds and other precious jewelry.

Devanadera, in a resolution, said there was a probable cause to indict Kwok for violations of Section 3601 in relation to Section 2530 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended, and Section 237 in relation to Section 264 of the National Internal Revenue Code.

Devanadera rejected the Nov. 19, 2009 resolution of Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors Pamela Lazatin-Escobar, Rohairah Lao-Tamano and Aldrin Evangelista dismissing the charges against Kwok, which was approved by Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno as per recommendation of Assistant State Prosecutor Pedrito Rances.

Devanadera further directed the newly appointed Chief State Prosecutor “to file the appropriate informations in court against respondent Kwok… and to report the action taken thereon within ten (10) days.”

The resolution was based on the appeal of PASG stressing the automatic review power of Devanadera on drugs and smuggling cases filed with the DOJ.

PASG chairman and Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Secretary Antonio Villar Jr. welcomed the decision of Devanadera, claiming that pinning Kwok was “a gigantic triumph of the government’s anti-smuggling campaign.”

“I appreciate the favorable decision of Secretary Devanadera who has a keen eye on the loopholes of the state prosecutors’ decision,” Villar said.

Villar ordered the filing of charges against Kwok after some P250 million worth of diamonds and pieces of precious jewelry was seized in her condominium unit in Pasig City. – Paolo Romero