Mighty Corp. owner placed in immigration lookout bulletin

March 9, 2017

The justice department issued an immigration lookout bulletin order against businessman Alexander Wongchuking, owner of tobacco firm Mighty Corp. who was earlier ordered arrested by President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a memorandum, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II ordered the Bureau of Immigration to monitor Wongchuking while his company is being investigated for possible smuggling and tax evasion.

Aguirre said Wongchuking is now considered a "suspect" in possible criminal cases.

The LBO also covers Wongchuking's brother Ceasar.

The LBO cannot prevent subjects from leaving the country but it requires them to ask for permission from the justice department to leave to make sure they would come back.

Duterte ordered the arrest of Wongchuking for “economic sabotage” but Aguirre clarified Wednesday no case has been filed against the businessman yet.

The Bureau of Customs said earlier it is preparing to file charges of smuggling against Mighty Corp. over shipments of alleged fake cigarette tax stamps that were seized in successive raids in Pampanga, General Santos, Cebu and Tacloban. DMS