Malacañang announced President Duterte has relieved employees of Bureau of Immigration (BI) tagged in the reported “pastillas” scheme in the agency.
“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has relieved all officials and employees of the Bureau of Immigration who are allegedly involved in the latest bribery scheme where they purportedly facilitated the entry into or exit from the Philippine territory of foreigners working for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) for unauthorized fee,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
Panelo said the President sees the anomaly as a grave case of corruption and assured the government will not let it pass.
“He received reports and he found prima facie or probable cause… May nagreport sa kaniya, nagreklamo, and apparently, the proof constitutes probable cause,” he said.
Panelo said the government chooses no one, and will punish whoever violates the law.
“Any official or employee who commits any wrong in performance of their respective duties shall be meted out with the punishment that they deserve, and in accordance with our penal laws,” he said.
The issue, together with the leadership of BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, will be discussed in the next Cabinet meeting. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
