DOJ suspends Immigration officers accused of extortion

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice has ordered the 90-day suspension of Bureau of Immigration officers who allegedly extorted P9.2 million from Korean nationals.

Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete, DOJ spokesperson, said that Guevarra issued an order to suspend the BI officers and employees accused of extorting 15 Korean nationals arrested on March 6 in Angeles City, Pampanga for overstaying.

In a statement, the DOJ said that Guevarra evaluated the sworn statements from the Koreans and from the Bureau's documentary evidence. The Justice chief "found a prima facie case against said officers and employees for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service."

READ: BI chief seeks suspension of 18 ‘extort’ agents

This came after GMA-7 reported that the Koreans were threatened with detention if they did not pay up. The same report said the foreigners coughed up different amounts of money—up to P1 million— to be released. The amount extorted from them reportedly reached P9.2 million.

A complaint was later filed against the Koreans before the Office of the President and the DOJ.

The DOJ said that the Immigration officers were also ordered to submit their explanation within 72 hours from the receipt of the formal charge issued against them.

The agents were also said to have used the name of President Rodrigo Duterte as they told the foreigners that they could not run to the Malacañang for help.

The DOJ said that the Office of the Secretary is evaluating the proper course of action as regards job order contractors who allegedly participated in the extortion of the Korean nationals.