MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against 20 Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel for their alleged involvement in the controversial “pastillas scam.”
NBI spokesperson Nick Suarez said the said BI officials were allegedly involved in the illegal airport escort service known as the “pastillas” racket catering mostly to Chinese nationals.
The “pastillas scam” allegedly involved airport and immigration personnel who supposedly received bribes in exchange for the seamless entry of Chinese nationals into the country.
Meanwhile, opposition senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed NBI filing of charges against the BI officials as it was a “major step forward in protecting the country’s borders and the welfare of Filipinos, especially women and children.”
“The filing of cases against these BI personnel is a welcome development in our efforts to remove the network of corruption which enabled the illegal entry of countless Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators workers from China, along with the various crimes associated with them,” Hontiveros said.
“We commend the National Bureau of Investigation for taking decisive action against those who have betrayed the country and contributed to the victimization of many Filipino women and children,” she added.
Hontiveros said corrupt BI officials have allegedly received an estimated amount of P10 billion as kickbacks from arriving foreigners who avail of the illegal service./PN
