Ex-BI exec in bribery mess cries frame-up

Dismissed Bureau of Immigration (BI) deputy commissioner Michael Robles on Tuesday said he and commissioner Al Argosino — both at the center of a bribery scandal rocking the bureau — were “framed up” by former BI intelligence chief Charles Calima, Jr.

At the resumption of the Blue Ribbon committee probe on the issue, Robles said Calima “connived” with former police general Wally Sombero, the supposed representative of Chinese gambling tycoon Jack Lam, who allegedly offered the bribe.

In his six-page sworn statement, Robles said on December 2, 2016, he was informed by Calima that he was “in close coordination” with Sombero “from day 1.”

“It strengthened my suspicion that we were framed up because an acting Intel Chief of BI, instead of warning us about Mr. Sombero, had connived with the latter in plotting a frame up operation on us despite the fact that we have no history of wrongdoing and that there was no complaint against us by anyone,” Robles said.

Calima earlier said he conducted counter-intelligence operations, upon the instruction of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, after receiving reports that some BI officials were trying to facilitate the release of Chinese thousands of Chinese workers illegally working at Lam's online gambling business.

Argosino and Robles, however, earlier claimed that they gave Calima P18 million after the latter told them in a meeting that he knew what happened in the City of Dreams in Parañaque City on November 27 where Sombero handed them P50 million.

Robles said after that, he started fearing for his and his family's lives.

“With that revelation, I became afraid as my life and my family might be in danger and we will also be portrayed in the public as having extorted money when in fact we never demanded anything from any person and the money in possession of Atty. Argosino will be used as evidence to expose the syndicate in the Bureau,” he said.

Robles’ sworn statement

It was on November 22 when Argosino asked Robles to accompany him to the City of Dreams to meet with Sombero to discuss the inquest proceedings and the ongoing inventory of illegal Chinese workers arrested in Lam’s casino.

He said he was initially “hesitant” but agreed anyway as it was near his place in Las Piñas.

Robles said that he and Argosino met around 9:15 p.m. and transferred to another restaurant by 12:30 a.m. At 2 a.m., Sombero arrived carrying two bags and started talking about his advocacy on online gambling.

He said they transferred to another restaurant at 3:20 a.m. Sombero then left  “leaving two paper bags near the table.”

“After Mr. Sombero left, I was told by Atty. Argosino that Mr. Sombero told him that the two bags contained money. That I was surprised and I asked him if he asked for the money and what is the purpose of the money. Atty. Argosino told me that he still does not know the purpose of the money and that he did not ask for it,” Robles said.

Argosino supposedly said the money will be used as evidence, and told Robles to take two bags “for security reasons.”

On November 27, the two former commissioners met again during a party to “consolidate evidence.”

A day later, Argosino called Robles to accompany him to another meeting with Sombero at the Diamond Hotel. Robles said he was “puzzled” why Argosino never mentioned the money.

On November 20, Argosino called Robles as Sombero asked for a meeting at Crown Hotel. He said they were brought to a room and was introduced to Lam’s interpreters.

It was after the meeting when Robles suggested to Argosino to “immediately report” the incident to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

“But circumstances prevented him to do so,” Robles said. —KBK, GMA News