THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has started to investigate a new ‘big scheme’ involving immigration personnel offering escort service to arriving foreign nationals.
At a press briefing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the latest airport scam involved Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel who reportedly offer to escort foreigners for a smooth entry to the Philippines.
Remulla said there had been several complaints on the new service offered by certain immigration personnel for a fee ranging from P10,000 to P20,000 per foreigner, mostly Chinese.
“I am asking the NBI to really look into this… I cannot give any details yet but we are looking at a big scheme, that is as big as the ‘pastillas’ that may be happening now in the airports,” he said, referring to the previous scandal involving BI personnel receiving money wrapped like the pastillas candy in exchange for the seamless entry of foreigners.
Remulla warned BI officials and personnel that their actions were being closely watched.
“These are sovereign functions that they fulfill. These are the boundaries of the country. This represents our integrity as a country and territory and we cannot allow this kind of behavior to remain,” he said.
metrosundaily
