BUREAU of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco made sure that the new team at its holding facility in Taguig is now imposing a heightened security alert at the country’s only major holding center for deportees.

The BI chief on Friday personally went to the facility to issue his marching orders and make sure the new team followed through, noting the need for improvement in systems and facilities.

“A lot can be done to improve the facility,” said Tansingco. “After seeing the situation firsthand, we have seen opportunities for improvement and issues that need to be addressed,” he added.

Tansingco, who celebrated his first 100 days only in December, vowed to prioritize the modernization of the BI Ward Facility (BIWF).

The BIWF serves as the temporary holding facility for foreign nationals set for deportation and is located inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.

During the inspection, management of the BIWF was turned over to its new head, Intelligence Officer II Leander Catalo.

Tansingco earlier relieved its previous chief, including 35 other personnel, and reassigned them to other back-end offices pending investigation.

The investigation stems from the January 30 “surprise raid” conducted by operatives of the BI’s intelligence division, assisted by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), which yielded unauthorized cellphones and gadgets, undeclared money, cigarettes, sharp objects, and construction materials.

BI policy allows the use of cellphones of foreign wards for a certain period to communicate with embassy officials, their legal counsel, or families, upon approval of the commissioner.

However, no such authorization has been issued by Tansingco since his assumption on September 15, 2022.

After the raid, Tansingco immediately ordered that foreign fugitives be held separately from other deportees as other fugitives require more security and tighter regulations than those with lesser offenses.

“I have instructed the new management of the BIWF to implement improvements in the facility and to ensure that no such incident occurs in the future,” said Tansingco. “Those who are found to be remiss of their duty will definitely face administrative sanctions,” he added.

Tansingco shared that they have submitted the raid report to the Department of Justice (DOJ). BY JUN I. LEGASPI & HECTOR LAWAS