Bureau of Immigration (BI) commissioner Siegfred Mison yesterday denied receiving millions of bribe money in exchange for stopping the deportation of a foreign fugitive, who is wanted in China for illegal gambling.
Speaking for the first time since the issue broke, Mison added that he was made to believe by two of the BI Associate Commissioners that Wang Bo, a Chinese fugitive, shouldn’t be deported to China since the foreign national committed the crime here in Manila.
The two BI Associate Commissioners he was referring to were Associate Commissioners Abdullah Mangotara and Gilbert Repizo.
“I have nothing to do with the bribery issue, that will never happen under my watch. I am determined to rod the bureau of bad elements and practices,” Mison told reporters at the sidelines of the First International Dialogue on Human Trafficking in Makati City organized by the Department of Justice.
The 31-year-old Wang, who is wanted by Interpol and the Chinese government for allegedly embezzling $100 million, was supposed to be released from BI detention – until Sec. de Lima intervened last week.
Wang has been detained at the BI jail in Taguig City since his arrest on Feb. 10 upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Malaysia.
The Chinese embassy sought the BI’s assistance in apprehending Wang, saying he was wanted for illegal gambling and that his passport had been cancelled.
Wang, employed at the ELC Technology Consulting Co. Inc. based in the Cagayan Economic Zone, will remain in the BI’s custody while his case is pending with the DOJ.
MANILA BULLETIN
