Philippines immigration duo resign

Friday evening local time saw new drama in the Philippines online gambling corruption scandal (see previous reports) as the two Bureau of Immigration assistant directors at the centre of the storm advised local media that they had written to the national president tendering their resignations “to spare President Rodrigo Duterte from concerns brought about by the false allegation hurled by Wally Sombero.”

Our readers will recall that the two immigration officials were caught on CCTV camera receiving P30 million from Sombero this week, and claimed that they were not accepting a bribe, but were running their own investigation.

They have accused Sombero, BI intelligence chief Charles Calima and online gambling tycoon Jack Lam of framing them.

In a joint statement, Argosino and Robles said the past few days had been very difficult for them and their families. They added that they had also learned of a criminal corruption complaint laid against them by Sombero.

The duo expressed the hope that in resultant proceedings and investigations “the truth will prevail”.