The National Bureau of Investigation has filed graft charges against 20 immigration personnel before the Ombudsman over the so-called pastillas scam, or the acceptance of bribes in exchange for allowing foreigners to enter the Philippines illegally.
The respondents included a security guard at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport who became chief of staff of the Port Operations Division, and who was said to be the middle man in the scam.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said the filing of criminal charges against those linked to the scam was “a major step toward 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 that enabled the illegal entry of countless Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators [POGO] 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.”
The NBI urged Ombudsman Samuel Martires to place the 20 Immigration personnel under preventive suspension. It also said it would file another complaint against other respondents.
Immigration officer Allison Chong first disclosed the scam involving the payment of P20,000 to P50,000 in exchange for being allowed to enter the Philippines illegally.
In February Hontiveros, the head of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, led the hearings that exposed the scam.
The committee disclosed chat logs, undercover videos and a testimony by Chiong detailing how Immigration officers escorted and provided “red-carpet services” to Chinese workers as they illegally entered the country.
Hontiveros said the illegal entry of Chinese nationals could be linked to the wave of criminal activities involving POGO employees—including human trafficking, prostitution, kidnapping and labor-law violations.