(Eagle News)– The Department of Justice has denied the appeal of five RCBC officers who were indicted for violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act in connection with the $81-million cyberheist.
In a statement, Justice spokesperson Markk Perete said in rejecting the RCBC Retail Banking Ground officials’ motion for reconsideration, the investigating prosecutor ruled they deliberately avoided knowledge of the crime “by failing to make a reasonable inquiry about suspected wrongdoing, despite being aware that it is highly probable.”
The prosecutor noted the five were instrumental in the lifting of the temporary hold on the four beneficiary accounts of the international inward remittances of funds that were alleged to have been taken from the Bangladesh Bank, and the withdrawal of such funds, among others.
The prosecutor said this was after the notice of irregularity in the transaction from the Bangladesh Bank.
An information has been filed before the Regional Trial Court at Branch 141, Makati City.
Earlier, RCBC Jupiter Branch Manager Maia Santos-Deguito was found guilty for eight counts of violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
She said she would appeal the court’s decision.
