SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday called for a review of the government policy granting “special visas” to foreign nationals, saying there is a need to ensure that the system is not abused by unscrupulous foreigners engaged in illegal activities in the country.
In an interview with dzBB radio, Gatchalian said special visas, such as the Special Investors Visa, Special Visa for Employment Generation, and Special Resident Retirement Visa, are given by different national government agencies and does not undergo vetting by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
He said that there is a big possibility that deported workers and bosses of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) who escaped while on a layover in Hong Kong when they were deported to China might return to the country avail of the special visas.
“Baka makabalik sila dito dahil ang mare-revoke lang naman ay yung kanilang 9G visa. Pag na-revoke yung kanilang 9G visa, puwede silang mag-apply ng tourist visa at makabalik dito…Puwede ulit silang mag-apply ng ibang working visa or, marami kasi tayong special visa ngayon (They might return to the country because only their 9G visas were revoked and they can apply for a tourist visa and return here. They can apply for a working visa, or any of the special visas),” Gatchalian said.
A 9G visa is a visa applied for and processed in the country by a Philippines-based employer that is valid for one year.
Gatchalian said he cannot confirm yet the operations of syndicates in Philippine offices which issue special visas but said that “definitely, this is abused.”
“Itong mga special visa, hindi na Bureau of Immigration ang nagbibigay, ibang ahensiya na. So, dapat i-review rin mabuti baka mababa na yung amount, or dagdagan yung talagang requirements para sigurado tayo na yung talagang investors lang at walang illegal activity na dadalhin dito (The Bureau of Immigration does not grant these special visas, they are given by other agencies. So, there should be a review of this policy because maybe, the amount needed to invest in the country is too low, or maybe we can add additional requirements for getting special visas to make sure that real investors are coming in and that they will not engage in illegal activities here),” he added.
Gatchalian also called on the leadership of the BI, National Bureau of Investigation, and the PNP to strictly monitor the activities of their men amid reports that some insiders are giving advance information to illegal POGOs before they are raided.
“They [illegal POGOs] have moles within our agencies that’s why it’s disappointing to learn that our countrymen are selling information to them. Whoever their contacts are must be axed and charged in court,” he added.
