MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Immigration (BI) chief Jaime Morente has assured Immigration officials and employees involved in the so-called “pastillas” bribery scheme at Philippine airports, who were already ordered relieved by President Rodrigo Duterte, that they will be given due process.
Morente added that they have also canceled the privileges of officials allegedly named in the money-making scheme.
“We shall observe due process as we bring the accused to the court of justice. This incident and the corresponding consequences should serve as a strong warning and reminder to others not to engage in any unethical practices,” Morente said in a statement on Saturday.
Morente also said they are prepared to cooperate “with an impartial probe and lifestyle check to be conducted by authorities.”
In the “pastillas” bribery scheme, which was revealed at the Senate hearing led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, some Immigration officers and employees escort Chinese nationals who work at Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) through immigration in exchange bribe money rolled up like the local milk-based confectionery.
According to BI spokeswoman Dana Sandoval, 19 Immigration personnel were relieved of their duties due to Duterte’s directive. Morente said he welcomed the President’s efforts to remove cleanse the ranks of Immigration personnel.
Added measures
To improve transparency in the agency, Morente said he ordered the installation of more closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) in all areas of inspection.
“As added measures to deter and expose any more illegal activities, we have included new protocols in the conduct of secondary inspections in open areas to improve transparency and installation of additional CCTV cameras in all areas of the primary inspectors,” Morente said.
He also assured that the personnel of Immigration vowed to “sustain the reform efforts which have resulted in the expanded implementation of the BI E-Gates in major international airports, streamlining of the procedures for BI Frontline Services, enhancement of technologies in all BI offices.”