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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Hontiveros wants BI officials in 'pastillas scam' suspended indefinitely

Hontiveros wants BI officials in 'pastillas scam' suspended indefinitely

Published Jul 28, 2021 04:30 pm

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, July 28 urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to suspend indefinitely all the Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials reportedly involved in the prostitution, corruption and trafficking of women or the so-called "pastillas" scam.

Hontiveros made the call after the 6-month suspension imposed on these controversial immigration officials had already lapsed.

As far as she is concerned, the chief of the Senate Committee on Women and Children, said the investigation on the pastillas scam is not yet over.

"We can't just let these BI officials who were allegedly directly involved in the scam to go scot-free while the case is still pending," Hontiveros said in a statement.

"We didn't hold investigations in the Senate for more than a year only to waste the sacrifices of the witnesses and whistleblowers who mustered the courage to testify against them," she said.

"I urge the DOJ to indefinitely suspend the officers who are alleged to be part of this crime. A 6-month suspension is not enough," she reiterated.

The senator said a 6-month suspension on these government officials is not enough to resolve the abuses and trauma experienced by the country's own women in their hands.

"What happens to the women and minors who continue to end up victims of trafficking because of these corrupt BI officials? The lives and dignity of our women and children are worth more than that," she stressed.

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