DOJ confirms death of former Wirecard executive

MANILA, Philippines — Former Wirecard Asia executive Christopher Reinhard Bauer, who was summoned by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in connection with the probe on supposedly $1.2-billion fraud, died last month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed yesterday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Bauer, a German businessman, died in a hospital in Parañaque City on July 27.

Based on official documents submitted to the NBI, Bauer died of natural causes. His remains were cremated, according to Guevarra.

Bauer is married to a Filipina. He was reportedly engaged in tour operations.

Last June, the DOJ ordered the NBI to coordinate with the Anti-Money Laundering Council to prove individuals who might be involved in the Wirecard scam.

The Bureau of Immigration welcomed the decision of the NBI to file charges against two BI employees who allegedly falsified the travel records of Bauer.

NBI chief Eric Distor recommended the filing of charges of falsification of public documents against Perry Michael Pancho and Marcus Nicodemus, assigned at the Mactan Cebu International Airport and Ninoy Aquino International Airport, respectively.

Pancho and Nicodemus are also facing graft charges.

Immigration Commisioner Jaime Morente has relieved the BI personnel. – Robertzon Ramirez