Senator calls for Lam’s extradition
The Philippines Bureau of Immigration has deported almost 300 Chinese nationals, about a quarter of the 1,360 illegal workers arrested last year in the raid of an illegal online casino.
The casino allegedly operated out of Fontana Leisure Parks & Casino in Pampanga, owned by Chinese gaming lord Jack Lam. Lam fled the country after the raid and remains in hiding, though he recently met with Paulo Martins Chan, head of Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. Chan reportedly asked for more information about the legal fracas in the Philippines.
According to the Philippine Inquirer, the arrested Chinese nationals are being sent home in “batches” in an exodus that began in late December. The remaining 1,000 workers will also be sent home “as soon as possible,” said BI spokeswoman Antonette Mangrobang.
Meanwhile, Senator Leila de Lima has asked the government to order Lam’s extradition to the country. According to the Manila Bulletin, she said the senate should investigate 50 million pesos (approximately US$1 million) in bribes reportedly accepted by dismissed bureau officials.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said there’s no need to involve the senate, but de Lima pointed out that Aguirre has close ties to Al Argosino and Michael Robles, two BI officials who allegedly received bribes from the Macau-based casino tycoon.
President Rodrigo Duterte has said Lam may return to the country if he pays his taxes and promises to sin no more. According to Macau Business and TDM, DICJ chief Chan says he is looking into the matter. Speaking of Lam he said, “We met with this man and we are still gathering some information from the authorities in the Philippines to know more about the facts involved.
“We only know the information from what we see in the media, which isn’t always correct, therefore we want to have more formal, more accurate, information provided by the Philippine authorities,” Chan said.
Lam, who runs the Macau-based Jimei Group junket, has been charged with economic sabotage and bribery.
