Wang Bo deported

MANILA, Philippines - Wang Bo, the Chinese fugitive who was arrested but almost released by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) last May, was deported back to his country yesterday after months of delay caused by allegations of bribery.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed that Wang was deported to China onboard a China Southern Airlines flight at around 9 a.m. He was escorted by four Chinese officers.

“The BI (Bureau of Immigration) immediately implemented the deportation when I issued the resolution yesterday,” she announced in a press conference.

The deportation came after De Lima affirmed with finality the summary deportation order issued by the BI against Wang last March.

The DOJ chief denied Wang’s appeal of her resolution last June, which reinstated the deportation order and voided the resolution of BI commissioners last May ordering the release of the fugitive.

De Lima rejected the claim of Wang’s lawyers that he has been travelling to and from China without being arrested, saying the matter was internal to China.

The National Bureau of Investigation has reportedly concluded its investigation and found no evidence in the bribery charge, paving the way for the implementation of the deportation order.

Wang – employed at the ELC Technology Consulting Co. Inc. based in the Cagayan Economic Zone – was detained at the BI jail in Taguig City since his arrest on Feb. 10 upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Malaysia. The Chinese embassy sought the BI’s assistance in apprehending Wang, saying he was wanted for illegal gambling and that his passport had been cancelled.