NBI files charges vs. BI official, 2 agents

The National Bureau of Investigation has filed three charges against an official of the Bureau of Immigration and two confidential agents who were arrested for allegedly demanding P500,000 from a Korean businessman.

Charged before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for bribery, violation of the Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees were immigration officer Dilausan Sarip Montor and confidential agents Daniel Gumba and Mabert Impas.

The three were reportedly caught by the NBI in the act of receiving P150,000 from Korean businessman Lee Dong Bum as partial payment of the P500,000 they allegedly originally demanded. The money is allegedly intended to settle the problem of a fellow Korean national working for Lee.

Separate charges for graft and corruption, and violation of the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees were also filed against another immigration officer, Donna Deriaga.

It was Deriaga who allegedly arranged the transaction between Montor and Lee.

The NBI filed the charges against the suspects despite the complainant’s lack of interest to pursue the case. The complainant did not anymore show up at the NBI office to execute his supplemental affidavit after the arrest.

Lee has been reportedly pressured by some immigration officials into withdrawing the complaint.

But NBI regional director Medardo De Lemos said despite Lee’s apparent lack of interest to pursue the case, they still have to file the charges against the suspects because it is not within their power to decide whether to dismiss the case. — Fred P. Languido/LPM