THE two immigration officials accused of extorting millions of pesos from gaming tycoon Jack Lam have filed a 30-day leave of absence with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Associate Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles in a letter dated December 12 informed the DOJ that they are taking a leave of absence from their duties for 30 days, beginning today.
According to the two immigration officials, they will take a leave to give way to the investigation being conducted against them by the National Bureau of Immigration (NBI).
"We hope that our action will give your office or that of your authorized representatives the free hand to conduct any investigation against us that you may deem fit," the letter read.
Argosino and Robles also added that they support the administration's war against corruption.
"We fully support President Duterte's war against corruption," the letter signed by the two stated.
In an interview after the filing, the officials said they will clarify the issues against them in a press conference on Tuesday, December 13.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has granted the one month leave request of Argosino and Robles.
The two officials were accused of exhorting an amount of P50 million from gaming tycoon Jack Lam in exchange for the release of 600 out of the 1,316 arrested undocumented Chinese nationals working in his unlicensed online gaming business at the Fontana Leisure Park and Casino in Clark, Pampanga.
Earlier in the day, Commissioner Morente ordered the two to submit an explanation answering the accusations against them within 24 hours. (Sunnex)
