8 immigration workers in alleged extortion sacked

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to terminate the contract of eight job order contractors allegedly involved in extorting P9.2-million from South Koreans.

“Upon review of the terms of engagement of the job order contractors and the evidence adduced against them, the Justice Secretary found that factual and legal bases exist for the immediate termination of their contracts,” Justice Undersecretary and Department of Justice (DOJ) Spokesperson Markk Perete said Thursday.

Earlier, Guevarra placed under preventive suspension 10 immigration officers and employees who were part of the team that apprehended the Koreans and allegedly extorted money from the foreigners. The preventive suspension against the BI officers and employees will last for 90 days.

These officers, Guevarra said were the subject of proceedings to determine their administrative liability for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

READ: BI suspends 10 employees for alleged extortion try

Guevarra’s decision came after 15 Koreans complained last month that the immigration officers and employees who apprehended them in Korean Town in Angeles City, Pampanga, forced them to shell out various amounts of money under threat of detention. /cbb