Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan left the country on Tuesday afternoon, November 11, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Spokesperson Dana Sandoval confirmed.

In an exclusive interview at DZRH’s Balansyado, Sandoval confirmed Bonoan’s departure and said that he, along with his wife, is heading to the United States despite being subject to an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO).

“Siya [Bonoan] ay subject ng immigration lookout bulletin [order] at following the procedures of the lookout bulletin, cinoordinate natin ito sa Department of Justice (DOJ) at nakumpirma po natin na wala pong bagong labas na…warrant of arrest laban sa kanya kaya cinlear din siya ng DOJ for departure,” she said.

According to Sandoval, the lookout bulletin for Bonoan is still effective, and immigration officers have compiled the former DPWH Secretary’s flight details and forwarded them to the DOJ.

Moreover, the BI spokesperson said that Bonoan traveled with a tourist visa and that other countries would require him to have a return ticket. While overseas, authorities will monitor Bonoan’s travel, including whether a new order would be issued against him.

Sandoval also clarified the difference between a hold departure order (HDO) and a warrant of arrest.

“‘Yung lookout bulletin, kinukuha po natin yung detalye ng travels niya at kinukumpirma po ng DOJ kung mayroon siyang freshly-issued hold departure order or warrant of arrest. Ang kaibahan nito sa hold departure order, pag sinabing ‘hold departure,’ talagang hindi papayagang umalis, naka-hold siya,” Sandoval clarified.

“Kapagka naman may warrant of arrest, siya po ay ifo-forward sa ating kapulisan para iimplement ang pag-aresto. In this case, lookout bulletin ang inilabas sa kanya ng DOJ at for monitoring ng kanyang travel,” she added.