MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to implement the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson and 41 others in connection with the fake road right-of-way (RROW) claims for government projects in General Santos City amounting to PHP8.7 billion.
According to BI spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang, they received the order on Monday morning.
“Just received (the order) at 10:55 a.m. and BI is preparing implementing order of the ILBO,” she said in a text message.
Aside from the two former government officials in the Aquino administration, the following are included in the ILBO: Wilma Mamburam; Col. Chino Mamburam; Nelson Ti; Mercedita Dumlao, alleged members of the syndicate; Leonardo Dinopol; Evelyn Paloso; Rudy Hadji Ong; Marissa Tiongson Seguirre; Mae D. Javier; Amei Amel A. Velayo; William P. Uy; Allan Manansala; Michael P. Baguio; Sarah Guro; Edgar Pampanga; Engr. Rodel Unos; Reynaldo Tamayo; Atty. Estrella Decena Zaldevar; Dir. Ser John Pastrana; Raymund Ramos; Lisa L. Bag-ao; Marciana G. Herrera; Aristeo O. Reyes.
Also included in the order are: Laureano B. Suan, Jr.; Patrick Gatan; Atty. Peter Armand L. Henares; Mangolamba D. Haji Ali; Roy L. Manao; Nashef A. Papandayan; Noraisa U. Abdullah; Jaime Pacanan; @ Engr. Romy; Alberto Olasiman; Tats Ampatuan; Abdulmanan Ali @RAMS/RAM Ali; Mahir @ Tato; PO3 Salapudin @Phods; Nehru Ampatuan; Guidtayan P. Gani @ George Gani; PO3 Farouk Ampatuan; PO2 Samir Ampatuan y Emblawa.
“Considering the gravity of the possible offenses which may have been committed, there is a strong probability that they may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the legal processes of this Department by leaving the country. We thus deem the issuance of an ILBO against the subject persons prudent in order to at least monitor the itineraries of their flight, travel, and/or whereabouts,” said the order signed by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.
The order has instructed all immigration officers to be on the lookout/alert for the said individuals should any of them shall pass through the immigration counters in any of the country’s international airports and/or seaports.
Likewise, the BI was ordered to coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), to obtain additional information about the subjects of the ILBO, in order to facilitate its enforcement.
They were also directed to “promptly relay to the Office of the Secretary, this Department, at (02) 526-5462, the NBI at 524-5084/5251264, any pertinent information, especially those tending to indicate that any of the subject individuals are attempting to leave the country and in order to obtain updates as to the status of their case and other relevant information that may be the basis for the proper course of action to be undertaken by the immigration officers.”
“Said information shall be immediately and promptly relayed to the foregoing and to any other concerned government office or agency, keeping in mind that time is of the essence in these situations, especially to determine the appropriate course of action to be undertaken thereafter. Hence, all concerned are strongly warned against waiting until boarding time to inform concerned offices of any attempt to leave the country,” it added.
The NBI is now conducting an investigation on the scam.
The modus operandi of the syndicate was to claim compensation for RROW intended for rightful owners who were affected by the construction of a national road in the said city. (PNA)