BI bribery at NAIA probed

MANILA, Philippines - The fugitive passenger bought a ticket just hours before his flight, checked in late, and got on the plane directly with a stamped boarding pass. His departure was not registered in the immigration database.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima smells bribery and connivance in the recent flight from the country of a South Korean fugitive reportedly wanted in Seoul for a $25-million investment scam.

The departure of Park Sung-jung from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last March 19 reportedly alarmed President Aquino, who demanded that an investigation be conducted immediately.

“What else could be the reason? Although that is being investigated, most probably there’s money again involved here – never-ending corruption, bribery. The President really wants very stern actions initiated against these personnel,” De Lima told reporters yesterday.

A senior immigration official has been suspended and more are seen to face sanctions as the Department of Justice (DOJ) widens its probe.

Suspended was senior immigration officer Ma. Roselle Sacendoncillo, who had processed and stamped Park’s boarding pass.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Ricardo David, however, is not being investigated despite the administration’s policy on command responsibility.

After a closed-door meeting with BI officials, De Lima revealed that at least six officers of the bureau and a still undetermined number of airport personnel are being investigated for their roles in the departure of the fugitive, who bought his ticket to Seoul just a few hours before his flight at around 1 a.m.

“Without a doubt, there was connivance in the airport,” De Lima stressed.

De Lima said video footage in the airport showed that Park did not immediately go to the boarding area after checking in late.

“Those possibly involved were clearly shown in the CCTV,” she said.

It turned out that Park directly boarded a Philippine Airlines plane with a stamped boarding pass. His departure was also not listed in BI’s database, but his name was in the flight manifest.

The DOJ chief admitted the incident angered President Aquino who demanded a full report. In response, De Lima said she tapped a team of DOJ prosecutors and National Bureau of Investigation agents to conduct a thorough probe in coordination with the intelligence division of the BI.

“It’s very clear to me that there are authorities involved there and we will take action, including the filing of both administrative and criminal cases,” she said.

The South Korean embassy had requested that it be informed if Park would try to leave Manila.

Authorities at the Incheon International Airport arrested Park upon his arrival in South Korea even without being alerted by Manila.

The BI said it had been looking for Park but clarified that he was not in its custody before his departure from Manila.

De Lima said the probe team would also try to determine why Park was able to secure a working visa from the BI.

“It’s really irritating why there are BI personnel who dare to aid and connive like that in spite of stringent measures being put in place,” De Lima said.   

Park fled his country last year after being tagged in an investment scam. It was in June last year when the BI cancelled his Philippine visa and issued a summary deportation order against him.

In 2011, another Korean fugitive – Kim Tae-dong – was able to escape BI custody. Kim, 54, was wanted in his country for cheating in baccarat games at a Seoul casino in 2010.

He fled to Manila but was arrested in Pasig City by police and BI operatives in July 2011.

He managed to escape the following month from St. Luke’s Medical Center where he had been confined for hypertension, diabetes and abdominal pain under BI guard. – Rudy Santos