Two Bureau of Immigration agents file charges against immigration director

CEBU, Philippines – For alleged maltreatment, two confidential agents of the Bureau of Immigration filed administrative charges against BI acting regional director Casimiro Madarang III before the Office of the Ombudsman. 

The agents filed charges for abuse of authority, conduct prejudicial to public interest, conduct unbecoming of public official and grave misconduct. The complainants are asking the Ombudsman to suspend or dismiss Madarang from service.

One of the complainants, who filed a separate complaint against Madarang in October 2008, alleged that Madarang had embarrassed him in front of many people when the latter visited the BI office in Mandaue City.

The complainant said he went to the BI office at that time to congratulate Assistant Cebu City Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro who was then appointed as head of BI’s Bureau of Special Inquiry.

While waiting for Castro, he reportedly advised two women how they could obtain the visa they were applying for.

However, Madarang reportedly called him to his office and allegedly berated him, saying “ikaw ba, dili na ka empleyado dinhi, fixing fixing gihapon ka, nay nagreklamo nimo gipangayoan kuno nimo’g kwarta!”

Madarang also allegedly shooed him away from the office in a hostile manner and even escorted him out while telling the security guard in a loud voice to no longer allow him to enter the building. 

“Guard, di ko gusto aning tawhana nga mubalik diri. Ayaw nag pasudla!” Madarang reportedly said.

The other confidential agent, meanwhile, alleged he was reporting for work last March 19 but was barred from entering the BI office, allegedly upon Madarang’s order.

He said it was only when Madarang arrived when he was made to enter the latter’s office and was told that he will be re-assigned to Caloocan City, thus, he could no longer enter the BI office here in Cebu.

“Kabalo ka nga nakakuha kog copy sa imo Personnel Order nga didto naka i-assign sa BI Caloocan? Mao nang gidilian na tika pagsulod ning akong opisina. Walay makabuot nako kay ako man ang amo diri. Akoy magbuot kung kinsay akong pasudlon ug kinsay dili nako pasudlon. Mao nang sukad karon, dili na ka makasulod ning akong opisina,” Madarang allegedly said.

The two confidential agents said that as a public official, Madarang could have acted with “justness and sincerity” without discriminating anyone. — Jasmin R. Uy/JMO (THE FREEMAN)