PNP chief Bato: Jack Lam left PHL on Nov. 29

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Sunday night revealed that gambling tycoon Jack Lam was in the country.

Dela Rosa, however, told GMA News Online that Lam had left the country on November 29 based on records from the Bureau of Immigration.

In a radio interview, Immigration chief Jaime Morente said Lam or Lam Yin Lok took a flight to Hong Kong during the said date. He said Lam has not returned to the Philippines since.

Morente said Lam has been placed on the immigration watchlist.

"In case na pumasok siya rito, siya ay huhulihin namin at iteturn-over sa NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) o sa Philippine National Police," he said.

PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said in a separate mesage to GMA News Online that he could not divulge additional information on Lam because of "the ongoing operations."

The PNP chief on Saturday announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the arrest of Lam on bribery and economic sabotage charges.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II had said that the police can arrest Lam despite the absence of formal charges being filed against the business tycoon because the economic sabotage is a "continuing crime."

Aguirre had accused Lam of trying to bribe him and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairperson Andrea Domingo on separate occasions in relation to the apprehension of Chinese workers, allegedly for working illegally for the tycoon's online gaming operations in Fontana.

Aguirre earlier said that Lam's emissary, retired Chief Superintendent Wally Sombero, told him on November 26 that the Macau-based businessman has been looking for a "godfather" to protect his online gambling business.

He also said that Lam offered Domingo a "1-percent cut" from his casino earnings so he can continue with his gaming business while applying for a license to operate. —report from Amita Legaspi and Virgil Lopez/ALG, GMA News