DOJ issues lookout order vs suspect in Quiapo motel slay

FILE: Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre (Photo: ALBERT ALCAIN/Presidential Photo)

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against a man suspected to be behind the killing of a woman in a motel in Quiapo, Manila last week.

In a memorandum released on Thursday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II directed Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente to instruct all immigration officers in the country’s airports and seaports to be on the lookout to prevent Abukaer Iskoakit or Abukaer Isko Akit alias Abu-Avsh Akit from leaving the country.

Iskoakit is now considered as a person of interest in the death of 29-year-old Joan Echipare.

Echipare’s body was found inside Escaldo Apartelle on the morning of October 15. Her body bore several stab wounds.

“Considering the gravity of the offense allegedly committed, there is a strong possibility that he may attempt to place himself beyond the reach of the legal processes by leaving the country,” read the order.

“We thus deem the issuance of an ILBO against the subject person [Akit] prudent in order to at least monitor the itineraries of his flight, travel, and/or whereabouts,” it added.

An ILBO is different from a court-issued hold departure order (HDO) since the former only directs the BI to be on the lookout for the subject and to verify the status of a case against the subject person and not to restrict an individual from leaving the country.

However, a person subject to the ILBO should seek an Allow Departure Order (ADO) from the DOJ chief to be allowed to leave.