Manila Bulletin
Intel confirmed 'pastillas' scheme - Duterte
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the relief of 18 Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials and employees implicated in the "pastillas" bribery scheme.
This scheme allegedly facilitated the entry of Chinese workers for Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in exchange for an unauthorized fee.
Intelligence agents have confirmed the existence of the scheme, prompting Duterte to state that suspension and investigation are necessary.
The illegal activity was exposed during a Senate hearing, where an Immigration Officer revealed that most of his colleagues at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were involved.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo assured the public that the law will be implemented against those involved in illegal activities.
Duterte stated that those who entered the country illegally will be sent back to their home countries.
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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 publicly vouches for Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente, expressing his trust despite ongoing corruption allegations against the agency.
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President Duterte has decided to keep Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente in his post for now.
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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."
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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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