BI says DOJ order vs alleged marine life poacher came late

The Department of Justice (DOJ) hold departure order against a Chinese national charged with poaching marine species reached the Bureau of Immigration (BI) June 9, two days after the suspect slipped out of the country, the bureau said Tuesday. But the BI’s order against Li was signed only on Monday, June 13, according to BI spokesperson Maria Antonette Mangrobang. She said Immigration Associate Commissioner Abdullah Mangotara signed the order. Senate sergeant-at-arms Jose Balajadia Jr. disclosed Monday Li Yu Ming, a.k.a Joe Pring, and his wife left the country on June 7 onboard a Cebu Pacific flight to Hongkong. The Senate environment committee is investigating Li, his wife and several of their business associates for the alleged attempt to smuggle P35 million worth of black corals and other endangered marine species out of the country. DOJ Chief State Counsel Ricardo Paras III signed the directive to include Li, as well as warehouse operators Benny Yu and Rosario Yu, in the Immigration watchlist. The BI spokesperson explained that while the DOJ already ordered the inclusion of Lee in the watchlist, Immigration officials could not stop the couple from leaving because the BI had not yet received the DOJ order. — ELR/VS, GMA News