JV Ejercito sounds alarm on immigration officers taking bribes from overstaying foreigners
January 31, 2023
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Tuesday
raised concerns on reports of immigration officers allegedly accepting bribes
from illegal aliens hoping to extend their stay in the country.
During the hearing of the Senate Committee on
Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on the recent spate of crimes linked to
foreign nationals, Ejercito revealed that some immigration officers were
allegedly found to have taken between P200,000 to P2 million in bribes from
overstaying foreigners.
“May information din. Sorry to say, pero may
modus din dito sa BI. Sana hindi totoo. From P200,000 to P2 million ang
binabayad ng ibang illegal aliens diyan para makapagstay pa [...] Pag may
nagbabayad at illegal, iyan talaga ang may kalokohan diyan,” he said.
The lawmaker from San Juan said leaving these
cases unchecked will embolden criminal syndicates and encourage bribery.
“Pag tayong lahat ay nabibigyan ng pampabulag
o pampalabo ng mata, talagang magproproliferate ang (krimen). Ang naiisip ng
mga ‘yan, dito sa Pilipinas, kayang bilhin ang lahat: from law enforcement to
officials to pulitiko. Iyan ang problema dito,” Ejercito said.
Atty. Homer Arellano of the Bureau of
Immigration’s prosecution and legal assistance section said the Department of
Justice is already taking steps to charge erring immigration officers.
He also assured the Senator that illegal
aliens overstaying the country will be deported after undergoing due process.
“Regarding doon po sa mga overstaying
foreigners or those who violate our immigration laws, chinacharge po natin sila
and eventually, nadedeport po. But of course, they have to go through the
process, due process,” he said.
Ejercito urged the Bureau of Immigration and
other pertinent agencies to strengthen the enforcement of the country’s
immigration laws to prevent foreign criminal syndicates from operating in the
country.
“Very crucial ang agencies dito in showing
that we mean business and you show them our authority. Itong mga loko-loko na
ito, di sila pwedeng sisiga-siga dito. We have to flex our muscles to send a
strong signal,” he said.
