Guevarra orders NBI to probe activities of fixers at BI

Published February 23, 2021 01:59 PM By VIRGIL LOPEZ, GMA News

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the activities of fixers at the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

“I have directed the NBI to expand its investigation of ‘fixers’ activities at the BI and find out who their cohorts are among the BI personnel, so that appropriate administrative and criminal charges may be filed against them,” Guevarra said.

Guevarra’s action comes after the NBI recently arrested a law firm employee

after receiving P900,000 to process the passports and visas of three Chinese nationals, who are reportedly clients of a travel agency, inside the office of BI lawyer Arnulfo Maminta.

Senator Risa Hontiveros has also called on the NBI to probe what she referred to as a “mutation” of the "pastillas” scam.

The pastillas scam is said to be a scheme in which Chinese high-rollers and offshore gaming workers bribe Immigration officers with wads of cash in exchange for their unhampered entry into the country.

At least 86 BI personnel are now facing criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman over the corruption scheme.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente assured the public last Saturday that they do not tolerate fixers. The BI also barred the law firm employee, identified as Vivian Lara, from entering the agency's premises.—AOL, GMA News

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