MANILA -- The Department of Justice has filed anti-money laundering charges against five executives of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) in connection with the USD81-million cyber heist at the Bank of Bangladesh three years ago.
Facing charges for violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) before the Makati City Regional Trial Court are RCBC Retail Banking Group treasurer Raul Victor Tan, national sales director for retail banking Ismael Reyes, regional sales director Brigitte Capiña, customer service head for its Jupiter business center Romualdo Agarrado, and senior customer relations officer Angela Ruth Torres.
In its 10-page resolution dated May 10, approved by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon, the DOJ noted that the officers still allowed the transactions to push through even if there were evident red flags.
The DOJ denied the motions for reconsideration of the five respondents.
Prosecutors cited the "willful blindness doctrine" as "the deliberate avoidance or knowledge of a crime, especially by failing to make a reasonable inquiry about suspected wrongdoing, despite being aware that it is highly probable".
"There is no better way to describe the acts of respondents than this," the resolution read, adding that with the notices received on the possible fraudulent transfer of huge sums of money, the respondents should have conducted an investigation.
"By the very nature of their work in handling millions of pesos in daily transactions, the degree of responsibility, care and trustworthiness expected of bank employees and officials are greater than those of ordinary clerks and employees," the resolution read. "Their complacent attitude in handling the suspicious remittances is unacceptable and rocked the integrity of our banking system."
Earlier, RCBC Jupiter Branch Manager Maia Santos-Deguito was found guilty of seven counts of violation of the AMLA.
Makati RTC Branch 149 Judge Cesar Untalan imposed a penalty of up to seven years imprisonment for each count and was also required to pay not more than 200 percent of the value of the laundered amount or almost USD110 million. (PNA)
