MANILA - About 600 of the 1,316 workers arrested in Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino owned by gambling tycoon Jack Lam have been released after posting bail of over P30 million, the justice department said Wednesday.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Immigration commissioners allowed the Chinese workers who have legitimate visas to pay about P56,000 each for their temporary freedom.

"They decided to allow them to post bail, P56,000 each yata. Nagpiyansa iyang mga iyan ng mahigit P30 milyon," Aguirre said in a radio DZMM interview.

The bail, which prohibits the 600 workers to leave the country, was settled by a law firm which Aguirre surmised may be connected to Lam.



Among the signatories of the bail order were Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente and sacked associate commissioners Al Argosino and Mike Robles.

The bail order was released sometime after Argosino and Robles' November 27 meeting with Lam's representative, Wally Sombero, who allegedly gave P30 million to the two officials for the release of the Chinese workers.

Argosino and Robles last week turned over the cash to Aguirre, claiming that they accepted the money as part of a corruption investigation against Lam.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, acknowledged the authority of the Bureau of Immigration to grant bail but called on Aguirre to investigate the hasty release of Lam's workers.

"The two Immigration associate commissioners who granted bail are accused of taking bribes. The speed with which the decision on the petition for bail was issued can also be questioned," he said.

Lam's resort-casino at Clark Freeport in Pampanga province has shut down its operation after President Duterte ordered the sequestration of the businesses and properties of the businessman for allegedly failing to pay taxes, holding online gaming operations sans necessary permits, and for employing illegal workers from China.

Some staff members at Lam's Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino told ABS-CBN News that they were instructed not to admit new bookings.

They shared they were uncertain if they would have jobs after the holidays.

Aguirre earlier said that should Lam, who has already reportedly left the country last November 29, be sighted here, he will immediately be arrested on the basis of Duterte's order for the continuing offense of economic sabotage.

The DOJ also anticipates charges will be filed with the department against Lam for unlicensed online gaming.

-- With a report from Henry Omaga Diaz, ABS-CBN News