Wednesday, October 24, 2007
NBI entraps BI agent, 2 informants
OPERATIVES of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 arrested late Monday an immigration agent who allegedly demanded money from a Korean.
Dilasuan Sarip Montor of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) 7 was arrested inside a coffee shop in Lahug, Cebu City, with two alleged “confidential agents” identified as Mabert Diao Impas Jr. and Alfredo Solis Suico Jr.
Montor, together with the two, were presented to the media yesterday morning. All, however, refused to answer questions, saying their lawyers will make the necessary statements in the proper forum.
Montor, of Barangay San Isidro, Talisay City, begged off from being interviewed further, saying he has a heart condition.
Pressure
Complainant Lee Dom Bum did not attend yesterday’s presentation at the NBI headquarters. His lawyer, Roque Paloma Jr., faced the press in a separate venue but did not allow his client to be interviewed.
He hinted that his client is receiving “pressure” from certain quarters but maintained that they are pursuing the case.
“We are preparing the supplemental affidavit to be submitted to the NBI,” he said during the interview.
Montor, Impas and Solis stand to face anti-graft charges as soon as Lee submits his supplemental affidavit.
“If the documentation isn’t finished in time, we will be forced to release the three and charge them under regular preliminary investigation,” NBI 7 Director Medardo de Lemos said.
Lee, in his original complaint with the NBI, narrated having received a demand for P500,000 over alleged violations of certain immigration laws.
Before the entrapment, two alleged immigration agents went to his office at the Narra Travel Assistance Inc. on Sto. Niño St. in Maria Luisa Subdivision, Banilad, Cebu City.
Lee said the agents tried to enter but were prevented from doing so by the agency’s security guards.
“Aside from those activities, there were also attempts by persons who identified themselves as BI officers to enter and inspect the books of their establishment located at 301 PDI Condominium, Banilad, Cebu City,” the NBI disposition sheet on the case read.
Moreover, Lee was allegedly contacted by a girl named Donna Deriaga following up the P500,000 payment lest he be placed “in hot water.”
Deriaga will be impleaded following a preliminary investigation.
De Lemos, during yesterday’s presentation, said the entrapment was launched as soon as Lee was able to communicate to the BI men that he was agreeing to the payoff.
He said Lee went to the coffee shop with the money and waited for the BI men to arrive.
A few undercover NBI agents also went inside while the rest of the team monitored from a distance.
The arrest was made as soon as the money changed hands.
“Our agents said the three were very cooperative and didn’t resist,” de Lemos said. (KNR)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (October 24, 2007 issue)
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