Nearly half of the more than 1,000 alleged illegal Chinese workers arrested in a leisure park in Pampanga were able to gain temporary freedom after posting bail.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II in a radio interview revealed that 600 of the total 1,316 Chinese nationals working at Fontana Leisure Park and Casino owned by controversial Chinese businessman Jack Lam posted bail amounting to P56,000 each or about P30 million.
They all posted bail with the Bureau of Immigration and signed by Commissioner Jaime Morente and disgraced Deputy Commissioners Al Argosino and Mike Robles.
Argosino and Robles were being accused of trying to extort money from Lam for the release of the Chinese nationals arrested during a raid in his alleged illegal online gambling facility in Pampanga last month.
President Duterte had hinted that he was willing to allow Lam to resume his business in the country but has imposed some conditions, including payment of right taxes and apology for bribery attempt.
The President had ordered the arrest of Lam for economic sabotage and bribery charges, but the gaming tycoon had already left the country. Lam’s online gambling operations were also shuttered due to lack of permits.