The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has confirmed that five of their officials have been relieved over an alleged bribery scheme called ‘pastillas’ modus involving Chinese workers of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) industry.
“Yesterday following itong expose, immediately relieved lahat ng terminal head at head ng travel control and enforcement unit pending the result of the investigation,” Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval told ABS-CBN News.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has also formed a fact-finding team to investigate the so-called ‘pastillas’ scheme of BI officials as exposed by Senator Risa Hontiveros.
The team was given 15 days to submit their findings and report to Morente.
On Monday, Hontiveros said Chinese nationals who pay ₱10,000 as “service fee” or grease money are given special treatment as they enter the Philippines.
She showed in a senate hearing some Viber screenshots of a group chat of immigration officers where long lists of names of foreigners are sent each day.
Once the Chinese national arrives, the immigration officer on duty would leave his booth and will process their passports.
