PR
As part of the Bureau of Immigration’s continuing reform and transformation efforts, a total revamp in NAIA Terminals 1-3 has been implemented effective immediately. The revamp covers all personnel assigned to NAIA terminals from Port Operations Division (POD) Deputies, Terminal Heads down to counter personnel, except Chief, POD which will be decided by DOJ. This practice of rotating and changing assignments on a regular and programmed basis is both a means to enable better performance and encourage skill upgrades, as well as a necessary precaution against possible avenues for graft and corruption. Said personnel movements are in compliance with the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to revamp the Bureau as necessary.
These changes in management responsibilities and section assignments in our airports are part of the on-going actions that are being taken to address the recent resurgence of unauthorized activities and irregularities, as major steps have already been made to address these issues since 2016. These irregularities and their consequences impact on morale and detract from the professionalism and service that the men and women of the Bureau of Immigration are pledged to provide.
Earlier on, the Bureau has already activated new protocols in the conduct of secondary inspections in open areas for transparency, as well as the installation of additional CCTV cameras in all areas of primary inspectors. While the accused have been put under the Admin holding office and their privileges have been cancelled, we are duty-bound to observe due process as we bring said accused to the courts of justice. The appropriate disciplinary and administrative sanctions will be implemented according to the findings and decisions of the proper courts, both administrative and criminal.
We have likewise sought the assistance of the NBI, through the DOJ, in expanding the probe to include private entities that act as recruiters of aliens. These agencies, as mentioned in the Senate hearing, have counterparts both in China and in the Philippines who reportedly receive bulk of the grease money given by Chinese nationals who avail of said VIP treatment. We see this as one of the major root causes, as these agencies are the source of the corruption. Hence, we seek assistance from law enforcement agencies to expand the probe and file criminal cases against erring immigration personnel and these private entities as well, to break the chain of corruption and finally put an end to this illegal scheme.
