BUREAU of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco has warned immigration officials and employees from engaging in illegal activities, adding he would not hesitate to personally arrest and handcuff them if they dabble in such acts.
BI spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval disclosed Tansingco’s warning in yesterday’s Laging Handa public forum, saying the warning was issued last Monday in his first day as the new BI chief. He took his oath before Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
“He talked to the frontliners and told them he will not tolerate any form of corruption. He also warned them not to wait for him to personally handcuff erring personnel,” Sandoval said.
Tansingco had earlier said his leadership will prioritize getting rid of corruption and the modernization of the bureau that has long been hounded by controversies.
Remulla had previously pointed to the BI as among the three attached agencies of the DOJ that are most problematic due to alleged corruption and other irregularities.
Several immigration officials have been charged before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the “pastillas scam,” where they allegedly charged foreigners, mostly Chinese, from P10,000 to P20,000 to facilitate their entry to the country.
Several immigration employees were also previously accused of involvement in the trafficking of Filipino women in the Middle East, including war-torn Syria.
Sandoval also said that Tansingco told officials and employees he would push for the modernization of the bureau and the passage of a new immigration act to replace the 82-year Philippine Immigration Act.
“First of all, this would help increase the salaries of our immigration officers, thereby removing from them the excuse to commit corrupt activities while at the same time making it at par with our counterparts abroad. It will further professionalize the bureau and update numerous provisions that are outdated,” she added.
Sandoval said modernization would also include new technologies, especially the system to facilitate the legalization of foreigners who want to stay in the country.
With only P1.6 billion in proposed budget for 2023, Sandoval said they would push for more facilities for online visa extensions, greater inter-operability with other government agencies to ensure “seamless and smooth” delivery of immigration services, and additional gates at the country’s airports and seaports for arriving and departing international travelers.
Sandoval also said the limited capacity of the BI detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig City is posing a major challenge amid the increase in the number of foreigners arrested for immigration violations.
Sandoval said the facility, which only has a capacity for 300 detainees, now holds more than 200 arrested foreigners.
She said the recent addition includes 91 foreigners arrested in Pasig City last Friday and 41 more in Angeles City, Pampanga the following day.
Sandoval said they were apprehended for various immigration-related violations, such as working without proper documents.
To alleviate the possible overcrowding in the detention facility, Sandoval said they are coordinating with local law enforcement units to temporarily transfer to their custody the arrested foreigners.
