Sombero back home

A retired police general who allegedly served as middleman in the P50-million extortion scandal at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has returned to the country.

Wenceslao “Wally” Sombero arrived at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday from Vancouver, Canada, said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

He is set to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Aguirre has issued a memorandum directing the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to provide Sombero with escorts when he testifies in the Senate.

Sombero, alleged middleman of Chinese gaming tycoon Jack Lam, is accused of offering P50 million to dismissed BI commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, in exchange for the release of illegal Chinese workers who were arrested at Lam’s casino in Pampanga.

In previous interviews, however, Sombero said Argosino and Robles extorted the money from him. The two former BI commissioners denied the allegation.

Sombero left the country last Jan. 17 for “medical purposes,” a week before the Senate investigation on the alleged extortion try in the BI began.

BI chief Jaime Morente said Sombero was allowed to leave the country because the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) issued against him listed the subject as “Wally.” Sombero’s passport, however, showed his name as “Wenceslao.”

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II also clarified that he did not issue an Allow Departure Order (ADO) for Sombero.