Kim Wong leaves RP for China

Businessman Kim Wong left the other day for Xiamen, China by way of Hong Kong, immigration authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) revealed yesterday.

Wong, who has been tagged by Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) chief Col. Victor Corpus as one of Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s alleged financiers, used his Chinese passport under the name of Wong Kam Sin.

The businessman boarded a Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight for Hong Kong at 5:46 p.m. Monday at the NAIA Terminal II. His immigration departure card showed that he was born on March 26, 1962.

Samuel Vallada, head immigration supervisor at the airport, said Wong was allowed to leave the country because there was no order preventing his departure.

Corpus first made his accusations against Wong during the investigation of Lacson for hidden wealth and ties with drug lords.

The ISAFP chief said cellular phone numbers being used by Lacson have been traced to Wong, whom he accused of having close ties with the Chinese 14-K drug syndicate.

Wong, who owns several restaurants and a garments factory, admitted he was a friend of Lacson, but denied he was a drug lord.

Meanwhile, Sen. Robert Barbers demanded an explanation from Corpus, who had admitted making a mistake in releasing the wrong photograph of Kim Wong.

"We will confront him and find out the necessary action to be taken against him for showing the wrong photo," Barbers said.

The man in the photo presented by Corpus to media resembled the senator’s deputy chief of staff, Stephen Villaflor.

Barbers said people cannot help but feel paranoid now that those in the Senate are being placed under surveillance.

"We are wondering how they got hold of Villaflor’s photo," the senator said. "Only those suspected of crime involvement should be placed under surveillance." — With Aurea Calica