More CCTVs installed at airports to deter bribery – BI

MANILA, Philippines — More closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed and intelligence personnel have been posted at international airports as a deterrent against bribery similar to the “pastillas” scam, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced yesterday.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said they implemented these measures to improve organizational structure and prevent a repeat of the pastillas scheme by corrupt immigration officers.

“With these high-definition CCTVs, we could zoom an image to the point that the immigration officer’s nail could be captured clearly on camera,” Sandoval said.

Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed 45 BI officials and employees linked to the scam wherein arriving foreigners, mostly Chinese citizens, were allowed to skip immigration procedures at the airports in exchange for money.

Sandoval said glass barriers were also put up at the immigration counters so the movements of BI officers and passengers can be visible.

Aside from these measures, Sandoval said supervisory powers were given to some units. For example, the control and intelligence unit was transferred to the BI Intelligence Division.

“The Intelligence Division will now serve as the third set of eyes for the agency to monitor the personnel at the airports,” she said.