Immigration detention head, 35 others sacked over foreign detainees’ VIP treatment

INQUIRER file photo / ALEXIS CORPUZ

MANILA, Philippines–The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has relieved from its post the head of its Immigration detention facility and 35 others following the discovery of several detained foreign nationals getting access to prohibited items, including gadgets.

“[These] 36 [officers] were relieved, including the head, following the raid the other day,” Immigration Spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.

Sandoval was referring to the January 31 Oplan Greyhound raid conducted by 49 operatives from the bureau’s Intelligence Division assisted by 84 policemen and SWAT personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office.

The authorities seized sharp objects, construction tools, cigarettes, mobile phones, laptops, modems, and undeclared cash. Among those seized are six iPhones owned by one of the four Japanese citizens subject to deportation requests from the Japanese government.

READ: Gadgets, cigarettes, cash seized inside detention center for foreigners 

The Japanese government wants the deportation of four of its nationals involved in theft, fraud, and robbery. One of the four who is in the Immigration detention facility is believed to be “Luffy,” the ring leader who managed the operation of his group in Japan while he is detained in the Philippines.

Sandoval said the new warden and 35 new personnel assumed their new posts Friday. Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco visited the Immigration Detention Facility on the same day to conduct an inspection.

Remulla said he would investigate the possible culpabilities of BI officers who allowed the smuggling of gadgets inside the BI detention.

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BI detention heavily guarded after ‘Luffy’ mess, detainees’ VIP treatment 

JPV