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BI to obey Ombudsman dismissal vs. 45 immigration officials, agents

Philippines | National

BI to obey Ombudsman dismissal vs. 45 immigration officials, agents

By Jun Ramirez

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it will implement the dismissal order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) against 45 immigration officials and agents implicated in the so-called "pastillas" racket.

Bureau of Immigration

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said it will immediately carry out the directive as soon it receives the official communication from the anti-graft body.

The fraudulent scheme involved the entry of foreign passengers, mostly Chinese, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport without undergoing the regular process in exchange for bribe.

In a consolidated decision issued last week, the OMB held the respondents liable for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and shall be meted the penalty of dismissal from the service.

The administrative complaints were filed by the National Bureau of Investigation in 2020.

The OMB also filed graft cases before the Sandiganbayan against 51 immigration officers led by former port operations chief and Deputy Commissioner Marc Red Marinas and a private defendant who owned the travel and tour agency that facilitated the anomalous express lane service to foreign passengers.

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