Court orders manhunt for 'diamond queen'

MANILA, Philippines - Suspected diamond smuggler Siu Ting Alpha Kwok is now the subject of nationwide manhunt after the Pasig City regional trial court issued yesterday a warrant for her immediate arrest for allegedly violating the country’s tariff and customs law.

Judge Rolando Mislang of Pasig City RTC Branch 167 ordered the arrest of Kwok, a British national, after evaluating a Department of Justice (DOJ) resolution stating there was probable cause to indict her.

“After a personal evaluation of the resolution of the prosecutor, including the accompanying evidence to the information, sufficient probable cause exists for the issuance of the warrant of arrest against the accused,” Mislang said in his order.

Former Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group chief Antonio Villar Jr. welcomed the arrest order, saying it is “an encouraging force to the working men of PASG, especially them who were part of the operation for her apprehension last year.”

Kwok was arrested last year at her condominium unit in Pasig City with allegedly smuggled diamonds and pieces of jewelry worth P250 million.

PASG filed charges against Kwok before the DOJ. Then justice secretary Agnes Devanadera stated in her resolution that there was probable cause to indict Kwok. Her successor, Alberto Agra, denied with finality a motion for reconsideration upon automatic review.

The precious stones seized from Kwok have been deposited at the vault of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for safekeeping while the charges are still pending in court.