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Illegal Chinese workers to be deported — Palace
Malacañang has announced that illegal Chinese workers in the Philippines will be deported, aligning with President Duterte's commitment to enforce laws.
A Senate inquiry exposed the 'pastillas scheme,' involving Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials accepting bribes to allow Chinese nationals to work illegally in the country.
Senator Risa Hontiveros explained that Chinese nationals enter as tourists and then work in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs after bribing immigration personnel and travel agencies.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo affirmed that individuals who entered the country illegally will be sent back to their origin country.
The scheme was uncovered during a Senate investigation into sex trafficking and prostitution linked to POGO operations.
An Immigration Officer revealed that a significant majority of his colleagues at NAIA were involved in the bribery scheme.
President Duterte has relieved all BI officials and employees implicated in the 'pastillas scheme' due to grave corruption.
The scheme involved payments of P10,000, rolled in bond paper, to immigration personnel and travel agencies.
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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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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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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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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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Over 2,000 Chinese nationals working for Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) have been deported after authorities confirmed they have criminal records in China.
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