A 60-YEAR-old Chinese national wanted for a string of criminal charges in the country as well as a warrant of deportation issued by the Bureau of Immigration in 2022 is now under the custody of the BI after being arrested by agents of the Manila Police District inside a hotel in Malate district, officials said yesterday.

Albert Abaya, a businessman residing in Biak na Bato Street in Quezon City was placed under arrest inside the Century Park Hotel last May 14 by members of the MPD Station 9 under Lieutenant Colonel Salvador B. Tangdol.

A report to MPD director, Brigadier General Andre P. Dizon said that the accused was initially placed under arrest on the basis of a warrant for violation of Batas Pambansa Bilang 22 or the anti-bouncing check law issued by Judge Analie Oga-Brual of the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 41 on June 22, 2021.

A P132,000 bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused BP 22 is an offense which carries the penalty of imprisonment for at least 30-days but nor more than 1-year or a fine of at least double the amount of the checks issued with insufficient funds but not to exceed P200,000.

However, Lt. Col. Tangdol said that a record check showed that the suspect also had several warrants of arrest and a Warrant of Deportation issued by BID Officer-in-Charge Commissioner Rogelio D. Gevero Jr. on July 21, 2022.

The official said the other warrants include a violation of Section 22 (a) of Republic Act 8282 issued by Judge Jonafher S. Almira of the Q.C. MTC Branch 33 on January 20, 2021; and two other warrants for violation of BP 22 respectively issued by Judge Janet Samar of the Q.C. Regional Trial Court Branch 219 on January 4, 2021 and Judge Ayn Marie Grace Barit-Carig of the Q.C. MTC Branch 31 on September 25, 2020.

Section 22 of RA 8282 or the Social Security Law refers to non-remittance of SSS payment by employees.

Judge Samar recommended a P72,000 bail for the liberty of the accused while Judge Almira asked him to post a P396,000 bail for his temporary freedom. Judge Barit-Carig set a P120,000 bail for the accused.

Lt. Col. Tangdol said that they served the other warrants issued against the suspect after validating them with the courts. This week, the accused posted a total of P600,000 in surety bond and his arraignment was scheduled.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon