Philippine officials accused of extorting ‘fugitive’ gaming tycoon Jack Lam Yin-lok
Pair of immigration bureau officials quickly deny allegations, displaying bundles of cash to media
In a new twist to the intrigue surrounding Jack Lam Yin-lok, the “fugitive” Macau gaming tycoon has apparently gone from accused graft perpetrator to victim of an extortion plot involving senior members of the Philippine immigration service.
Bureau deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles have been accused of extorting 50 million pesos out of Lam to secure the release of hundreds of Chinese nationals who were arrested for working illegally for an online gaming operation at one of the tycoon’s casino resorts.
Yesterday, however, the two officials called a press conference in Manila and claimed the were being set up. They displayed bundles of cash they said was seized as part of a sting operation and was to be used to substantiate bribery allegations against Lam and others at a later date.
The latest developments – widely reported in the Philippine media – came just days after Duterte said Lam could return if he paid back taxes and renegotiated his contract to run casino resorts in the country.