MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is moving toward a possible total ban on mobile phones inside its detention facilities in Taguig and Muntinlupa after simultaneous raids uncovered widespread smuggling of prohibited items and renewed allegations that foreign detainees were able to use gadgets while in custody.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the agency is now studying the removal of personal mobile phones from detention centers and replacing them with landlines and supervised video call booths to prevent further abuse of communication privileges.
“When abuse occurs, action must be taken immediately,” Viado said in a statement.
The policy review followed coordinated searches conducted Friday last week by the BI Intelligence Division, with assistance from the National Capital Region Police Office and the Bureau of Corrections, in both detention facilities.
Viado said the raids were ordered after fresh information surfaced regarding claims by deported Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy that he had access to a mobile phone while detained.
Although the alleged incident dates back to mid-2025 and earlier inspections had already been carried out, Viado said the new details warranted a broader sweep.
During the operations, authorities searched “all rooms, quarters and areas” and confiscated cash, mobile phones, electronic devices, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, bladed weapons, gambling materials, and other prohibited items.
The BI earlier disclosed that another foreign detainee, Malik Dejoun Okojie, allegedly facilitated the smuggling of mobile phones with the help of his Filipino wife.
As a result of the investigation, three BI personnel were removed from their posts — one contractual worker was terminated, while one officer and one staff member were relieved pending further inquiry. Viado said administrative and criminal cases will be filed against personnel proven to have assisted in bringing unauthorized items into the facilities.
“More will follow. We will not tolerate incompetence or corruption and we will treat this matter with utmost importance. We will ensure that those who are remiss of their duties will face the harshest consequences,” Viado said.
The BI emphasized that its detention centers are not regular jails but temporary holding facilities for foreign nationals awaiting deportation, where communication privileges are strictly regulated. Mobile phone use, the agency said, is limited to contacting family members, embassies, or legal counsel and may now be further curtailed under the proposed policy shift./PN
