Guia Castro’s US visa canceled — DOJ exec

United States authorities have canceled the visa granted to Guia Gomez Castro, the woman Manila police had accused of conspiring with police officers to sell illegal drugs, the Department of Justice said Wednesday.

Castro's US visa was canceled upon the request by the DOJ, said Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete.

"The BI (Bureau of Immigration) is now working with US immigration authorities to effect her deportation to the Philippines," Perete said in a message to reporters.

Castro, an elected but not sworn-in barangay chairperson, is accused of buying illegal drugs that rogue policemen had allegedly confiscated from legitimate operations and "recycled" to be resold in the market.

She has since denied the allegations.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra issued an immigration lookout bulletin order against Castro, which would direct the BI to monitor her entry into and departure from the Philippines, only after she had left the country.

The BI earlier said Castro was allowed to fly out because she had "no derogatory record."

The police said there were three warrants of arrest against Castro but Perete said Wednesday that the DOJ has verified only one so far that is pending before the Quezon City Municipal Trial Court (MTC).

Perete said MTCs do not issue hold departure orders, which bar an accused from leaving the country. — RSJ, GMA News