BI puts 459 foreigners in blacklist

INQUIRER file photo / ALEXIS CORPUZ

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 459 unwanted aliens will be included in the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) blacklist after they were found to have been endorsed by fake companies allegedly provided by several BI personnel.

This was revealed by the agency’s three consecutive audit reports from the verification and compliance division that showed that the illegal aliens were able to obtain visas to enter the Philippines by being petitioned by nonexistent business entities.

The audits were made after local law enforcement agencies conducted raids and uncovered scam hubs and prostitution dens posing as legitimate companies.

“These foreign nationals’ applications were processed using the services of accredited entities, authorized to apply on behalf of the foreign nationals,” a BI press statement on Saturday quoted Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco as saying.

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“However, through our audits, we discovered that the companies that petitioned them are spurious,” he added.

The modus was uncovered last week, which prompted a massive investigation. As a result, at least 79 accredited liaison officers are being subjected to investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Tansingco also revealed that four immigration lawyers are also under investigation in relation to the modus.

The matter has also been reported to the Department of Justice, which assured its cooperation with the NBI’s investigation.

After uncovering the scheme, the visas of the identified foreign nationals will be canceled and those still in the country will be ordered to leave and eventually be blacklisted.

“We are after aliens who falsify or misuse documents. Our drive against illegal aliens remains relentless, and we will continue to run after those who coddle such violators,” Tansingco promised.