DOJ: BI agents offer P150,000 escort fee

MANILA, Philippines — Persons who are blacklisted from entering and departing the country can still do so as some agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) are reportedly offering escort services in exchange for P150,000, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

Remulla earlier revealed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking into the possible resurgence of escort services offered by BI officers at airports for visitors who have problems with their travel documents.

“We have received information that blacklisted persons can travel in and out of the country for a fee of P150,000,” he said at a press briefing.

While he has yet to talk to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, Remulla said he has spoken with a deputy commissioner, whom he did not name, to discuss the alleged corruption and other issues in the BI.

Among the possible actions of the government will be a “reorganization or movement of people in the bureau,” according to Remulla.

He said President Marcos is also aware of the problems in the BI, but the DOJ chief did not go into details.

“It has been a problem for the longest time. Wala eh, corruption will rear its ugly head because of the temptation of money going into people’s heads,” Remulla said.

He said the escort service scheme is similar to the multibillion-peso “pastillas” racket wherein foreign nationals who wanted to work for Philippine offshore gaming operators traveled as tourists and paid facilitation fees for a smooth entry into the Philippines.

Remulla has asked the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter, along with other corrupt practices allegedly perpetrated by BI personnel.