Sacked Ilocos immigration official fears for his life

LAOAG CITY, Philippines – The head of the Bureau of Immigration based here has been relieved from his post, and he believes it had something to do with last month’s arrest of four Chinese nationals for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

And now immigration official Paul Versoza, whose relief took effect Tuesday, fears for his life, saying he has received several death threats.

Versoza alleged that the four Chinese belongs to a big syndicate protected by high government officials. He declined though to name the syndicate and those supposedly protecting them.

Last Monday, the four Chinese underwent preliminary hearing on the gun charges filed against them before the Regional Trial Court Branch 19 in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

Versoza said he is considering the advice of his friends to stay abroad for his safety.

The four Chinese – Lei Guang, Dang Hoi Yin, Lui Xin Fen and Dennis Min Co – are now locked up in the Ilocos Norte provincial jail.

Versoza’s relief also came as his office was readying separate charges against the Chinese suspects after they were found to have no proper travel documents.

Superintendent Jeffrey Gorospe, Ilocos Norte police spokesman, however, said that as far as their office is concerned, they have not received reports of Versoza’s having death threats.

“We have not received any report from him reporting the same to be reflected into our blotter,” said Gorospe in a text message to The STAR.

The four Chinese were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and explosives at a checkpoint in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte last May 28.

Before their arrest, they figured in a commotion in Pasuquin’s Nagsanga village where they allegedly broke beer bottles. When responding policemen arrived, they sped away, triggering a car chase.

Gorospe said the foreigners’ vehicle yielded three MP5 submachine guns, a Pietro Beretta pistol, a 40-caliber rifle, two .45-caliber pistols, a 9-mm Glock pistol, eight grenades, and an improvised explosive.  

The Chinese, through an interpreter, denied owning the guns and explosive materials found in their vehicle. – With Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig