JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to expand and dig deeper into the reported resurgence of anomalies in the Bureau of Immigration (BI) after it was disclosed that a new version of the corruption scheme dubbed as “pastillas” scam has cropped up anew in the bureau.
Guevarra specifically ordered NBI agents to unmask BI officials who are in cahoots with “fixers” of foreigners wanting to enter the country without going through the usual protocols.
Guevarra said the investigation would include officials or employees of the BI who may be involved in the illegal entry of foreigners.
“I have directed the NBI to expand its investigation of fixers’ activities at the BI and find out who their cohorts among BI personnel so that appropriate administrative and criminal charges may be filed against them,” Guevarra added.
The justice chief issued the order after the NBI apprehended last February 18, 2021 a former law firm employee for allegedly receiving P900,000 from three Chinese nationals to facilitate their entry into the country.
The suspect identified as Vivian Lara was arrested after she reportedly received marked money in the office of BI lawyer Arnulfo Maminta in Intramuros, Manila.
NBI special task force chief Gerald Geralde earlier said the new scheme involves Chinese citizens doling out bribe money in advance for the processing of their travel documents.
Earlier, Sen. Risa Hontiveros had asked the NBI to investigate the new version of the pastillas scam, which she likened to the coronavirus 2019 that has the capability to “mutate.”
The NBI had previously arrested and charged with robbery-extortion, violation of the anti-graft law and other criminal cases Joshua Paul Capiral, legal assistance chief of the NBI and his brother Christopher John for their alleged involvement in the pastillas scam.
Since 2016, BI had either suspended, dismissed and dropped from the rolls 176 personnel for their involvement in various irregularities.
A total of 86 BI personnel, on the other hand, were relieved for their involvement in the pastillas scam.