Duterte orders arrest of gaming tycoon Jack Lam

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Duterte orders arrest of gaming tycoon Jack Lam
Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa calls on the public to provide authorities with any information on the gaming tycoon's whereabouts

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the arrest of Macau-based gaming tycoon Jack Lam, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said on Saturday, December 3.

Dela Rosa revealed in an interview on radio dzMM that he has instructed all PNP units to “arrest [Jack Lam] immediately, as ordered by the President, for the case of bribery and economic sabotage.”

According to Dela Rosa, the President is “very angry” at Lam – chairman of the Jimei Group – and wants the Chinese national arrested immediately.

The order comes just days after Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said he will not pursue any legal action against Lam, who allegedly attempted to bribe him in connection with the arrest of over 1,300 Chinese nationals illegally working for Lam’s online gaming operations at Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Pampanga. (READ: Philippines detains hundreds of Chinese in casino raid)

Aguirre had said on Thursday that there was no “overt act of bribery” on the part of Lam  to substantiate bribery charges against him. They met at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City on November 26, two days after the arrest of the Chinese nationals.

The justice secretary had also claimed Lam tried to bribe Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chair Andrea Domingo.

Warrantless arrest?

Dela Rosa called on the public to provide the police with any information on Lam’s whereabouts.

Asked if a case against Lam had been filed before a court, Dela Rosa said he has no updates yet from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Kasi sila man ang gumagawa ng kasong ito. Hindi ko pa alam pero I am just acting on orders of the President, so I presume ginagawa na ‘nung DOJ ‘yung kaso laban sa kanya. So ‘yun na, hulihin natin kapag makita natin,” he explained.

(They are the ones working on this case. I don’t know yet, but I am just acting on orders of the President, so I presume the DOJ is already working on the case against him. So there, we will arrest him once we see him.)

Can the police arrest him based simply on the President’s order? Dela Rosa said “hanapan natin ng paraan (we’ll find a way).”

Basta orders ni Presidente na hulihin….Kami na bahala na managot kung ma-illegal arrest kami, basta mayroon kaming batayan (The President ordered his arrest….We’ll take responsibility if we’re charged with illegal arrest, but we have a basis [for the arrest]),” he added.

Dela Rosa said he had informed Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente about the President’s order.

While a hold departure order has yet to be issued against Lam, Dela Rosa said the gaming tycoon should not be allowed to leave the country.

On retired Chief Superintendent Wally Sombero, who Aguirre also accused of bribery, Dela Rosa said: “So far wala pa akong natanggap na instructions, ano, kung kasama si Sombero, pero sige, idamay na rin natin ‘yun. Kapag nakita natin ‘yun hulihin na lang din natin.”

(So far, I have not received instructions if Sombero is included, but okay, let’s include him anyway. When we see him, let’s just arrest him as well.)

‘Legitimate businessman’

Lam, through his Filipino lawyer, Raymond Fortun, denied the allegations on Friday.

In a official statement read by Fortun, Lam said he is “a legitimate businessman with proper legal authority to operate the Fontana Leisure Park and Casino.”

“Having the necessary permits and license, Mr Lam has no reason to bribe anyone, much less the Justice Secretary in connection with the arrest of several Chinese nationals in Fontana on 24th of November 2016,” Fortun said.

The lawyer said that while Lam met with Aguirre at BGC on November 26, the businessman “merely wished to inform the good Secretary that he was engaged solely in legal activities in Fontana.” The meeting, facilitated by Sombero and with the assistance of two interpreters, lasted only for 5 to 10 minutes, he added.

“At no time did he, as he now categorically denies, offer any amount of for the release of the Chinese nationals….Whatever Mr Wally Sombero told the Justice Secretary was a matter between the two of them. Mr Lam has no reason to bribe anyone as his operations are legitimate,” the lawyer added. – Rappler.com

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