7 BI personnel relieved for suspected illegal activities
SEVEN personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) suspected to be involved in illegal activities have been relieved of their posts as the bureau intensifies its internal cleansing efforts, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to eliminate corruption and strengthen border security.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the relieved personnel assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1 and 3, are under investigation following reports linking them to the illegal departure of trafficking victims repatriated on March 25.
If found to have assisted the victims, the employees would face cases before the Department of Justice.
The victims arrived in Manila on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand after being rescued by the Philippine government from online scamming syndicates in Myanmar.
While tighter measures are in place, Viado acknowledged the growing challenge of intercepting trafficking victims at airports, as many now come from well-off backgrounds and pose as legitimate tourists. He said syndicates have adapted by recruiting individuals with clean travel records, making it harder for immigration officers to detect potential victims.
In 2024, the BI intercepted a total of 1,093 victims of human trafficking. The victims were referred to the inter-agency council against trafficking (IACAT) for investigation and filing of cases against their recruiters.
Viado emphasized the need for a whole-government approach in dismantling trafficking networks from the grassroots level.
