MANILA – Chinese workers who illegally entered the Philippines will be deported, Malacañang said following the uncovering of the “pastillas” scheme at the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Chinese nationals without proper travel papers but who were able to enter the country by paying immigration officers will be “deported immediately.”
“Basta may iligal na ginawa, ang Ppresidente natin palaging [sinasabi] ipatupad ang batas,” Panelo said in a media briefing.
Department of Justice secretary Menardo Guevarra echoed Panelo’s remarks.
“But if they are legitimate, but were merely extended ‘escort service’ by some BI personnel for a fee, then it’s the latter who will be dealt with accordingly,” Guevarra said.
Panelo and Guevarra’s statements came after the Senate and the Immigration bureau launched separate investigations on the so-called “pastillas” scheme, in which Chinese casino high-rollers and offshore gaming operation workers allegedly skip the usual immigration process for a fee.
President Rodrigo Duterte had also ordered the relief of BI officials and employees linked to the modus. The National Bureau of Investigation and the BI are looking into an alleged scheme.
However, President Duterte said on Thursday evening that he still trust BI Commissioner Jaime Morente despite the emergence of “pastillas” scheme under the latter’s watch.
“(On Wednesday), I terminated all sa kay Morente. Apparently, si Morente mahal ko ‘yan kasi chief of police ‘yan dito, mabait ‘yan. Kung hindi niya kaya, sabihan ko, limitado man rin kasi siya sa ano,” Duterte said.
“Yung lahat sa NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), file-lan mo ng kaso tapos pinaalis ko na with the end view of dismissal. ‘Yung sa Customs, 83 of them for dismissal. So do not tempt the gods, we are not gods. What I’m saying is just a figure of speech. Do not tempt the gods, just do your work, I will protect you. Stay aligned,” he added.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday revealed that some erring BI personnel are receiving P10,000 as “grease money” from Chinese nationals who want to get special treatment upon their arrival in the Philippines.
The scheme was called “pastillas” because the money was allegedly concealed in rolled bond paper that is akin to the wrapper for the milk candy./PN
