By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday asked legislators to amend existing laws to close legal loopholes that allow foreign fugitives to evade deportation.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said legislative action is necessary to establish clear and permanent prohibitions against these tactics.
“We need Congress to step in and introduce laws that prevent these delaying maneuvers. Without clear legal safeguards, we will continue to see fugitives manipulating the system,” he said in a statement.
“Handa po kaming makipagtulungan sa ating mga mambabatas upang mapabuti at mapatatag ang ating (We are ready to work with lawmakers to enhance and tighten our) immigration laws. Kailangang tiyakin natin na walang makakagamit ng ating sistema para sa kanilang pansariling interest (We must ensure that no one would take advantage of the system for their selfish interests).”
Viado made the appeal following the recent re-arrest of South Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon in Angeles City, Pampanga, as they recently uncovered legal tactics used by certain lawyers to delay deportation proceedings, allowing fugitives to remain in the country longer than necessary.
He said some legal practitioners have been exploiting the system by filing cases against their own fugitive clients, arguing that they must remain in the Philippines due to “ongoing legal cases.”
“If this goes unaddressed, then every fugitive will simply employ this tactic to delay their deportation or arrest. What will happen to us then?,” the BI chief said.
The Commissioner added many of these fugitives are wealthy, well-connected, and capable of hiring top legal experts who know how to circumvent the country’s immigration laws.
He added that under the current legal framework, the BI’s ability to act is sometimes limited.
To counter this, the BI is working closely with the Department of Justice, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and the Supreme Court to ensure that legal proceedings cannot be misused as a shield for criminals. (PNA)
