By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Viado on Thursday ordered the immediate preventive suspension of immigration personnel involved in the escape of a high-profile South Korean fugitive.
He also vowed a full-blown crackdown on rogue immigration officers and warned that “heads will roll” over the incident.
“This is a direct and undeniable breach of duty. Walang palusot, walang sisihan, lahat ng sangkot mananagot (No excuses. No blaming. All those involved would be held accountable). We will not tolerate negligence, corruption, or collusion within our ranks,” Viado said in a statement.
“We will expose, punish, and remove anyone who betrays the trust of this institution and the Filipino people.”
The BI chief has ordered an internal audit of all personnel assigned to high-risk deportation and detention cases, ensuring that safeguards are in place to prevent future breaches.
“The days illicit deals and under-the-table transactions in the Bureau are numbered. We are cleaning house-and this is just the beginning,” Viado said.
He also assured full cooperation with the Senate and law enforcement agencies in bringing all guilty parties to justice.
Viado, who has been in office for 157 days, vowed that more changes and revamps are set to happen.
The BI has launched a manhunt against South Korean Na Ikhyeon, who escaped while attending a hearing of a case file against him in Quezon City on March 4.
The foreigner was able to flee despite the presence of his counsel while in a hearing of an estafa case filed by a Filipina at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. (PNA)
