By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and his wife, Rowena, remain outside the Philippines after failing to return on their respective expected dates of arrival, according to information from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Velasco left the country on August 30 and was expected to return on September 14, according to immigration records cited by NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
His wife, Rowena, subsequently left the Philippines on September 24 and was expected to return on September 27, Matibag said.
The couple’s continued stay abroad has drawn attention because the NBI had already conducted a search operation at properties allegedly connected to them shortly before Velasco’s departure.
On August 24, NBI operatives searched properties in Valle Verde, Pasig City, pursuant to a search warrant issued in connection with information involving alleged illegal firearms.
Matibag said the operation resulted in the recovery of firearms-related items, ammunition, magazines, shell casings and identification cards associated with police and security personnel.
The NBI later said the properties, although reportedly registered under the names of employees and a company, were determined to be owned by Velasco and his wife.
The search took place just six days before Velasco left the Philippines.
The NBI investigation also involves allegations made by former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who claimed that he delivered large amounts of cash to members of the Duterte family allegedly on instructions connected to Velasco.
The allegations remain under investigation and have not been established as facts.
The NBI has said it is verifying the documents, photographs and other materials submitted by Gracioso and intends to give those named in the allegations an opportunity to respond.
Velasco’s camp has denied the accusations.
Despite the investigation, the Bureau of Immigration said there was no hold-departure order or derogatory record preventing Velasco from leaving the country when he departed on August 30.
The immigration records cited by authorities, however, show that he had not returned by his stated expected arrival date of September 14.
Rowena Velasco likewise had an expected return date of September 27 following her September 24 departure.
There have been differing reports regarding Rowena’s destination, with NBI information identifying Hong Kong while another report cited an airport source saying she traveled to Japan.
As of the latest information released by authorities, both Velasco and his wife remain abroad.
The NBI investigation into the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the properties searched in Pasig City remains ongoing.
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