BI probes entry and exit of Chinese nat'l in Interpol watch-list

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will look into Senator Panfilo Lacson's claim that a Chinese national in the Interpol watch-list was able to get in and out of the country.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV on Thursday, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered the investigation after learning about the case of Jacky Co the previous day.

"Na-receive po namin yung information yesterday afternoon and immediately nag-order si Commissioner Morente ng probe po tungkol dito," Sandoval said.

Sandoval said the result of the investigation is expected "in the next few days."

In a privilege speech on Wednesday, Lacson questioned how a Jacky Co, whose real name is Zhijian Xu, was able to get in and out of the Philippines despite being on the Interpol watch-list.

Lacson linked Co to the 276 kilos of suspected shabu with street value of around P1.8 billion seized at the Manila International Container Port on March 22.

But citing BI data, Sandoval said Co neither has "Interpol hit" nor travel record.

"Ang lumabas kasi sa initial verification natin, wala po siyang Interpol hit at tinitignan rin po natin, wala rin siyang nag-match na travel record," she said.

Sandoval said the bureau is now coordinating with Lacson's office to get clarification.

"Baka po may ibang pangalan na ginamit ito or spelling ng kanyang pangalan," she said. —KBK, GMA News