AN Indonesian fugitive arrested in a raid conducted by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) last month on an alleged offshore online gaming facility in Bagac, Bataan was deported by the Bureau of Immigration last November 21.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Handoyo Salman, 40, was among the 42 foreign nationals arrested by the PAOCC and the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) last October 31 after they were reportedly found to be engaged in online gambling activities.
Upon verification with the Indonesian government, Viado said Handoyo was found to be wanted in Indonesia for violation of information and electronic transactions and money laundering crimes.
“He was ordered deported by the BI’s Board of Commissioners for undesirability for being a fugitive from justice. He was sent back to Indonesia last November 21,” Viado said in a statement.
Viado said the 41 other foreign nationals arrested during the same raid are still undergoing deportation proceedings.
“These individuals are still facing deportation cases on grounds of undesirability,“ he said.
He said the “physical custody” of the foreigners has been transferred under recognizance to Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia and their legal counsel.
Viado said that Garcia, as the public official overseeing the area where the foreigners were arrested, offered the necessary legal guarantee within his jurisdiction.
He explained that bail via recognizance meant that subjects are not released, but their physical custody are transferred to the individual providing legal guarantee during the course of the deportation case.
“All 41 foreign nationals are still registered in our system, with cases ongoing. Should they be found liable, they will also face deportation in accordance with Philippine law,” he said.
He assured the public that the foreigners will not be able to flee the country to avoid facing their charges as their passports are with the BI and their names have been included in the BI’s hold departure list.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said that due process must be followed in the deportation of the 42 foreigners arrested during the Bataan raid after Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin issued a memorandum directing the DOJ to facilitate the summary deportation of the apprehended foreign nationals.
The PAOCC operation against Central One Bataan PH Inc., an alleged POGO operator masquerading as a business process outsourcing firm, led to the detention of 358 Filipinos and the foreigners on suspicion of involvement in illegal activities.
