Evidence for P50-M bribery scandal acquired through intel gathering, says Calima

Former Bureau of Immigration intelligence chief Charles Calima Jr. asserted on Tuesday that he used intel gathering techniques to acquire evidence against former BI deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles.

In the report of GMA News' Jam Sisante on "24 Oras," the former intel chief said his actions were part of a "psy war" that he employed to gather evidence against the two officials.

At the resumption of the Senate inquiry on the P50-million bribery scandal, Calima said he cannot conduct an open investigation on the case because he is certain that former BI commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles will not admit to receiving the money they allegedly extorted from gaming tycoon Jack Lam.

"Since we cannot also conduct an open investigation sa kanila, na tanungin sila tungkol dito dahil mga abogado naman sila and surely hindi naman sila aamin," Calima said.

"That's why I went into yung pag-employ ng tradecraft so that I can get into their comfort zone para umamin sila and makapag-kuwento sila sa akin ng komportable. Kaya nga po 'yung sinasabi ko sa kanila. Kinakantiyawan ko sila 'Sir, hindi niyo kasi ako sinasama,'" he added.

Argosino said Calima asked for money, and was given P18 million because the latter said there are people he has to give money to.

"Si Commissioner (Jaime) Morente, si Mon Tulfo, si Col. Chan at (former police official Wally)," Argosino told Sen. Richard Gordon, who asked for the names disclosed by Calima.

Morente denied that he received part of the extortion money.

"My conscience is clear, you honor. I categorically deny na may tinaggap po ako dyan. It was a board decision, due diligence was exercised," he said.

Newspaper columnist Ramon Tulfo said he got in touch with Calima only to confirm Sombero's statement that the two immigration associate commissioners were allegedly involved in extortion.

"I called him twice, first to verify and second to ask him why he didn't arrest on the spot the two BI commissioners after they received the P50 million," he added.

Calima said that to prove that he received the P18 million to use this as evidence, he texted Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to request for a meeting so he can report the incident.

This was confirmed by Aguirre during the Senate inquiry. But he was not able to meet with Calima.

Argosino and Robles returned the P30 million to the Department of Justice on December 13 while Calima turned over the P18 million to the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to be used as evidence in his plunder complaint against the dismissed BI officials.

Sombero turned over the P2 million to the Office of the Ombudsman.  — Joseph Tristan Roxas/BAP, GMA News