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VACC warns vs online scams on lifting of immigration blacklists

February 2, 2023 People's Tonight 252 views

THE Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) expressed Thursday its grave concern about the reported proliferation of online advertisements offering to lift immigration blacklists for a fee of P1 million to P5 million.

VACC voiced its alarm because these illegal and unauthorized advertisements might lead people to believe that such services are indeed being offered by government agencies and this gives that impression that corruption is rife in our agencies.

VACC President Arsenio “Boy” Evangelista, Jr. noted that numerous similar scams have been reported in the past. Thus, he advised the public to refrain from entertaining such offers, and, instead, immediately report to authorities any attempt to illegally solicit payments in exchange for government services.

Evangelista added that he fully appreciates the capable and enlightened leadership of Immigration Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco, who is a proven veteran in the bureau where he has consistently worked for reforms and effective public service over the decades.

Relatedly, VACC also expressed its serious apprehension over the recent revelations that some foreign detainees at BI’s detention center have been conniving with unscrupulous lawyers and shady characters in abusing the country’s legal processes to prolong their stay in the country. It was revealed recently that specific cases have been unearthed where foreign detainees with criminal backgrounds have conspired with their lawyers to file “contrived cases” to allow them to stay in the country and avoid summary deportation to Japan to face prosecution for graver crimes.

Through this deception, these foreign detainees have continued to direct their syndicates’ crime operations even while detained in the country.

Evangelista said that VACC will continue to closely coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration to ascertain that this vile abuse and corruption is effectively and conclusively addressed.

He added that the BI has remained highly cooperative in their mutual drive against corruption. The VACC remains relentless in helping ensure that all government agencies remain true to their bounden duty to eliminate crime and corruption, and provide honest and efficient public service.

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