The NBI headquarters in Manila. (File photo / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed a complaint against 20 personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) allegedly involved in the illegal airport escort service known as the “pastillas” racket catering mostly to Chinese nationals.
“Yes, at the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday,” NBI spokesperson Nick Suarez told INQUIRER.net in a text message on Wednesday when asked to confirm if a complaint has been filed against BI personnel tagged in the illegal scheme.
The modus allegedly involves airport and Immigration personnel who supposedly receive bribes in exchange for the seamless entry of Chinese nationals into the country. This modus was earlier revealed by Senator Risa Hontiveros in a Senate hearing in February.
According to Hontiveros, Chinese nationals, mostly those who want to work in Philippine offshore gaming operations, pay P10,000 each to Immigration personnel to facilitate their smooth entry into the country. The bribe money being handed to Immigration officers was reportedly rolled in a white bond paper similar to the packaging of a local delicacy pastillas.
Hontiveros said corrupt Immigration officials have allegedly received an estimated amount of P10 billion as kickbacks from arriving foreigners who avail of the illegal service.
Also in February, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the relief of all officials and employees of BI who are allegedly connected to the modus.