By Ferdinand Patinio/PNA
MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will implement a revamp of personnel at its Warden Facility Protection Unit (WFPU) in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig following a random inspection that yielded numerous illegal items, including money and gadgets illegally kept inside its sleeping quarters.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente has ordered the relief of BI-WFPU head Niño Oliver Dato upon receipt of the inspection report.
Intelligence Officer Melody Penelope Gonzales conducted the inspection with the assistance of operatives from the Philippine National Police Special Action Force last March 25.
“Wards are allowed to keep PHP5,000 only, but during the inspection, almost PHP100,000 excess money was found,” Gonzales said in a statement Monday.
“These were accounted for, and we asked them to wrap their money in paper, seal it and sign it. They were likewise given acknowledgement receipts, as these will be returned to them upon implementation of their deportation,” the BI official added.
Other prohibited items found inside the facility were laptops, chargers, speakers, tablets, cellular phones, DVD players, power banks, casino chips, carpentry tools, cigarettes, lighters, knives, and pirated DVDs.
The six laptops, one tablet, and 23 cellular phones were submitted for forensic examination of its contents following reports of illegal activities conducted by wards.
“We conducted a shakedown last January 22, but it seems as if things have gotten worse. We have received reports that a number of detainees have been conducting some sort of online business inside the facility, thus the gadgets in question were submitted for forensic examination,” Morente added, noting that such activities will not be tolerated.
A total of 212 foreign nationals are at the detention facility awaiting deportation.
