DOJ sacks 2 Bureau of Immigration officers

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the dismissal of two Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers for their involvement in illegal activities.

In separate orders released recently, the DOJ imposed the ultimate penalty of dismissal from service on Immigration Assistant Salvacion Binuya and Immigration Officer Joel Gonzales after they were found guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The administrative case against Binuya stemmed from a complaint by an American man.

Based on the order issued last Sept. 14, she was accused of soliciting money from the complainant for the extension of his visa and required him to deposit the payment in her personal account.

Gonzales, on the other hand, was accused of conspiring to facilitate the departure of three human trafficking victims bound for Korea, according to the order issued by the DOJ on Sept. 23.

Since 2014, 26 BI employees have been dismissed from government service.

Immigration Commissioner Siegfried Mison reiterated his warning against BI officials and employees that illegal acts would not be tolerated under his watch.