An estimated amount of about P10 billion may have been generated from Chinese nationals out of the alleged bribery scheme at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) so they could easily enter the country on tourist visas and eventually work in Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) firms.
This was the estimation of Senator Risa Hontiveros during the Senate inquiry on Monday, says a report from the Philippine Star.
Allegedly, there’s a P10,000 service fee for the entry of each Chinese nationals that is pre-coordinated with corrupt immigration officials.
Since 2016, an estimate of about 1.8 million Chinese nationals has already entered the country.
The scheme called “pastillas” was bared yesterday in the inquiry into the rising incidents of crimes linked to the proliferation of POGOs.
It’s called pastillas since money is rolled in white office paper similar to the local sweet milk candy in the Philippines.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said BI Commissioner Jaime Morente was “deeply alarmed” by the reports and has launched a full-blown investigation to identify those who are possibly part of this syndicate.
They will also coordinate with the office Hontiveros and the Department of Justice on this.
