BI denies fabricating Wang Bo’s records

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) denied reports that it has fabricated the records of Chinese gambling lord Wang Bo to allow him to be placed under immigration control and deportation.

A newspaper report was quoting a May 21 transcript of meeting of the Immigration’s Board of Commissioners showing its chief Siegfred Mison and Deputy Commissioners Abdullah Mangotara and Gilberto Repizo agreeing to make it appear that Wang had been admitted into the country so he could be charged as an “undesirable and undocumented alien, in possession of a canceled passport.”

Immigration spokesperson Elaine Tan said Wang was “immediately placed under immigration control shortly after the bureau learned that he was using a revoked passport.”

“Under Immigration rules, a foreigner who uses a revoked or lapsed or fake passport is subject to summary deportation proceedings,” Tan said.

She said Wang’s deportation was discussed in at least three meetings.

As early as Jan. 30, they have already received information about Wang’s involvement in illegal gambling in China. Upon learning of Wang’s detention at the bureau, the Chinese embassy immediately sent a letter from its police attaché authenticating Wang as a fugitive from justice. The Chinese police attaché also verified that Wang’s passport has been voided.

“Wang was admitted (and not excluded) because we want to bring him to justice in China — it is a standard law enforcement protocol to prevent a fugitive from avoiding the arms of the law. We cannot deport if he were excluded,” Tan said.

Last June 8, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima already affirmed a summary deportation order for Wang but said that the deportation was deferred pending investigation on allegations of bribery.

Tan said an investigation is already ongoing.

“It is premature to pass judgment at this point, as the case is already with the Department of Justice. Let us wait for the official findings after the investigation,” Tan said. AC