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Actress Gretchen Barretto’s name was recently dragged into another controversy when together with gaming operator Atong Ang, the actress was allegedly given VIP treatment from the Bureau of Immigration.
- Atong Ang reportedly cleared his and Barretto’s name during an interview with GMA New Online.
- Barretto promotes Okada Manila where her beloved Tony Boy Cojuangco is a business partner of the Japanese billionaire who owns the said establishment.
A news report from “24 Oras” last July 4, reported that gaming operator Atong Ang together with actress Gretchen Barretto were both given VIP Treatments when they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport [NAIA].
A certain Ciriaco Peralta, who was a former policeman allegedly served as their escort.
The Bureau of Immigration [BI] clearly states that there should be no VIP pass or VIP treatment given to all passengers in all international airports nationwide.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that BI employees should desist from escorting or facilitating arriving and departing passengers, either personally or via text messaging or phone calls, for the purpose of expediting the conduct of immigration formalities by immigration officers in the counters.
Witnesses said there was a memo from the Bureau of Immigration Operations Division that says Peralta had an access pass badge from the Pass Control Office.
Atong Ang said on his statement that he was indeed with Gretchen at the time and someone had approached them to follow him. He said he did not know that person and they didn’t request for any courtesy or assistance. But they were guided by that man who turned out to be Peralta. Ang is a good friend of actress Gretchen Barretto and her long-time partner Tony Boy Cojuangco.
Atong Ang is an operator for Jai Alai from the Meridien Vista Gaming while Cojuangco, Barretto’s partner is known to be a business partner of Okada Manila’s Japanese billionaire owner.
