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DOJ issues lookout order vs Jack Lam
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Dec. 5 (PNA) -- Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday issued an immigration look-out bulletin order on Macau-based gaming tycoon Yon Lok Lam alias Jack Lam.

Lam has earlier left the country even before President Rodrigo Duterte ordered his arrest for alleged economic sabotage and attempted bribery in connection to his alleged illegal gaming operations inside the Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Pampanga.

Aguirre issued the order a day after he defended Duterte’s order for the warrantless arrest of Lam saying it can be done since economic sabotage is a continuing crime.

“Considering the offenses allegedly committed and apparent reports that he has already left the country, there is a strong possibility that he may attempt to place himself beyond the reach of the legal processes of this government by leaving the country. We, thus, deem the issuance of an immigration look-out bulletin order against him prudent in order to at least monitor the itineraries of their flight, travel and or whereabouts, or if warranted, effectuate his immediate arrest pursuant to the directives of the President should the subject return to the country,” Aguirre’s order directed to Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

The said order also directed all immigration officers to be on the lookout for Lam should he pass through all the country’s international airports and seaports as well as to forward any report or information to the DOJ or the Philippine National Police.

“Said information shall be immediately and promptly relayed to the foregoing and to any other concerned government office or agency, keeping in mind that time is of the essence in these situations, especially to determine the appropriate course of action to be undertaken thereafter. Hence, all concerned are strongly warned against waiting until boarding time to inform concerned offices of any attempt to leave the country,” the memorandum stated.

According to the BI records, Lam left the country last Nov. 29, four days after the arrest of 1,316 Chinese nationals in the online casino facilities operating in Fontana without necessary permit from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pacgor).

The bureau, however, has no records of Lam’s return to the country since then.

ILBO is different from a court-issued hold departure order since the former only directs the Bureau of Immigration to be on the lookout for the subject and to verify the status of a case against the subject person and not to restrict an individual from leaving the country.

Aguirre also directed the BI to cancel the Investors Visa issued to Lam.

Lam is one of the biggest gaming operators in the country. He is also the owner of huge recreation facilities in the country such as the Fontana Resort, Fort Ilocandia and online gaming hubs in Laoag. He is also one of the biggest junket operators in Macau.He said that Lam also committed violation of immigration laws as coddling of illegal aliens, giving support to them.

"In reference to violation of immigration laws, coddling of illegal aliens, giving support to them, pinatuloy niya sa Fontana resort niya hindi na kailangan ng warrant ang ganito dahil immigration law yan," he noted.

Last Nov. 25, 1,316 Chinese nationals were arrested for allegedly working illegally in online gaming operations inside a posh rest and recreation facility in Clark, Pampanga.

Aguirre said the operation is one of the biggest arrests of suspected illegal aliens in the history of the Bureau of Immigration and Philippine law enforcement.

Aguirre, however, said that while the warrantless arrest could be valid in economic sabotage, he could not say if it could also apply on bribery charges against Lam. (PNA)

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