Morente on ‘pastillas’ modus: These schemes are no longer new in BI

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente is no longer surprised by the alleged schemes purportedly involving some corrupt men in the bureau.

The BI was thrust into a lime light anew following recent expose of so-called “pastillas” modus where money allegedly changed hands to ensure the seamless entry of Chinese into the country.

“Actually your honor, these schemes are not very new to my knowledge because this has been reported to me for quite sometime since I entered the Immigration,” Morente said during the hearing of the Senate committee on women.

In fact in July last year, he said he personally asked the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the alleged trafficking of Indian nationals in Clark and Kalibo.

But the BI chief said said he has already taken several measures to address these reported illegal activities allegedly involving  some of his men in the bureau.

The “pastillas” scheme where money was allegedly rolled in a bond paper like the local sweet delicacy was first exposed by Senator Risa Hontiveros during last Monday’s hearing of the Senate committee on women.

At the resumption of the hearing this Thursday, Hontiveros presented a witness, Immigration officer Allison Chiong, to confirm the  “pastillas” scheme as he named those alleged involved officials and employees.

President Rodrigo Duterte has already ordered the relief of those involved in the scam.

Edited by JPV