BI calls for vigilance, warns vs dealing with fixers anew

The Bureau of Immigration on Tuesday warned the public not to deal with fixers and dubious personalities who claim to be authorized to facilitate transactions within the government agency.

This was after the Quezon City Police District arrested two individuals who claimed to have contacts within the BI and allegedly extorted P160,000 from a Korean family in exchange for processing their working visas and alien certificate of registration.

In a statement, BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said they verified the identities of the suspects and said they were not employees of the BI.

Viado said the public can conveniently and securely conduct their immigration-related transactions through the BI’s online e-services portal at e.services.immigration.gov.ph or by visiting the BI’s more than 60 offices across the country.

“We remind the public to remain vigilant and to never transact with fixers or unauthorized agents,” he said, assuring that the BI “continues to promote transparency and integrity in public service.”

“We urge the public to report anyone posing as a BI employee or engaging in illegal activities in the name of the agency,” Viado added.

He made the remarks after the QCPD announced the arrest of the two suspects in an entrapment operation following the complaint lodged by their victims.

The Korean family reported the matter to police upon finding out that their applications were never submitted to the BI even after three months. The suspects claimed to have contacts inside the BI.

According to a report by GMA Integrated News’ James Agustin on Monday, the suspects refused to release their victims’ passports and money and even asked for an additional P70,000 for the supposed transaction to push through, which prompted authorities to conduct the entrapment operation.

Viado also commended the QCPD’s swift action in apprehending the suspects for misrepresenting themselves as having connections within the BI. — JMA, GMA Integrated News