MANILA — A known toy collector and his wife, who was tagged in an alleged P200M investment scam, were able to leave the country on Monday (Oct. 9) amid an ongoing investigation.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that Yexel Sebastian and Mikee Agustin have left for Japan, saying no motion or case has yet been filed against them.
“As of now, we have no reason to hold the departure of the two subjects,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.
Tansingco reported this after Senator Raffy Tulfo asked about the couple’s flight during a committee hearing on Monday.
“Hindi ko alam kung ito’y tumatakas na o baka pumunta sa Nagoya para mag-recruit na naman ng investors,” Tulfo said.
“Is there any way na mapigilan? Ewan ko lang sa Immigration. Meron naman palang balita na kalat na kalat na na ito ay marami na nai-scam,” he added.
Secretary Boying Remulla said only the Department of Justice can issue an immigration lookout bulletin, and that a hold departure order should first be filed by a court before they can prevent any departure.
“Hanggang local bulletin lang po ang kaya namin gawin kasi ‘yung right to travel ang aming tinitingnan,” Remulla said.
Several overseas Filipino workers earlier called attention to Sebastian and Agustin’s alleged investment scheme in Tulfo’s public affairs show.
Complaints about the alleged P200 million in investments solicited from the public quickly made the rounds online.
According to Tulfo, complaints have already been filed at the National Bureau of Investigation.
Source: CNN Philippines
