Philippine News Agency
MIAA offers CCTV footages to BI’s ‘pastillas’ scam probe
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has ordered an investigation into an alleged bribery scheme where Chinese nationals pay P10,000 each for seamless entry into the Philippines, a scheme dubbed "pastillas."
The "pastillas" scheme, which allegedly involves rolling up money inside bond paper, may have generated around P1 billion in kickbacks to corrupt officials.
Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed the alleged modus operandi involving Chinese nationals, Filipino travel agencies, and potentially BI personnel.
Hontiveros called for lifestyle checks on immigration personnel implicated in the bribery scheme.
The BI spokesperson stated that Commissioner Morente is alarmed and has ordered the identification of individuals involved for administrative and criminal cases.
The BI will coordinate with Senator Hontiveros' office and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the investigation.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal offered to provide CCTV footage to aid the BI's investigation.
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The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has relieved its officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and its Travel Control and Enforcement Unit pending investigation into the alleged 'pastillas' scheme.
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Malacañang, through Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, stated that Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente will not escape charges if investigations reveal he committed lapses in stopping the "pastillas" scheme.
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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.
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Nineteen immigration personnel have been relieved from duty amid an investigation into an alleged "pastillas" racket, a scheme involving the escorting of Chinese nationals through immigration processes for a fee.
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President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the relief of 18 Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials and employees implicated in the "pastillas" bribery scheme.
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