BI officer names officials in 'pastillas' bribery scheme

An Immigration officer identified officials involved in the "pastillas" bribery scheme that facilitated the entry of Chinese high-rollers and POGO workers into the country.

Immigration Officer Allison Chiong revealed that a significant majority, approximately 90%, of Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel were involved in the modus operandi.

He personally witnessed the scheme, which began around 2017 due to a "dramatic increase" in Chinese nationals entering the Philippines.

Chiong explained that cooperating immigration officers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport received weekly payments of around P20,000 in Terminal 1 and P8,000 in Terminal 3.

These Chinese nationals were allowed entry without undergoing the usual screening or investigation process.

Implicated officials include Traffic Control Enforcement Unit officers Bien Guevarra, Glenn Comia, and Den Binsol, reportedly operating under Ports Operation Division Chief Red Mariñas.

Other groups within the BI, led by individuals like Totoy Magbuhos, Deon Albao, Paul Borja, Anthony Lopez, and Dennis Robles, were also allegedly part of the scheme.

President Rodrigo Duterte had previously relieved immigration officials and employees suspected of involvement in the bribery scheme.