The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it has no record showing that John Paul Estrada, a former aide of resigned congressman Zaldy Co, has left the Philippines.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval stated: “Upon initial verification, we have found no record of any departure incident involving the individual (John Paul Estrada) in question.”
She added that the bureau is conducting a thorough review and will submit its findings to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other concerned agencies.
The BI issued the statement following allegations by former congressman Mike Defensor that Estrada was barred from testifying on alleged irregularities in government flood control projects after he and his wife were detained and assaulted by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel.
Defensor further claimed in published reports that the NBI provided the Estrada couple with fake passports and forced them to leave for Chile.
“All immigration counters are equipped with passport readers capable of detecting counterfeit travel documents,” Sandoval stressed as she refuted that the spouses were able to use fake passports.
Earlier, the NBI said it had already communicated with Defensor who was asked to show proof of the allegations.
“Absent any credible proof, these allegations remain unfounded, cannot be given weight, and may even lead to prosecution for its malicious intent to undermine the credibility and integrity of the Bureau,” the NBI warned.
On the other hand, the NBI assured, if there is evidence to the claims made by Defensor, “the Bureau shall proceed with the appropriate investigative actions.”
“The Bureau remains fully open to any formal investigation and welcomes any legitimate inquiry to establish the truth,” it also said. (Jeffrey Damicog)
