Duterte relieves BI execs, personnel linked to ‘pastillas’ scam

President Rodrigo Duterte has relieved Bureau of Immigration officials and employees allegedly linked to the scheme in which Chinese nationals are escorted through the immigration process in exchange for an thousands of pesos each, Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President made the decision after he received reports about the alleged money-making scheme. Panelo did not name the officials and employees.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said on Monday that he had ordered an investigation into an alleged scheme in which Chinese nationals could seamlessly enter the country by paying P10,000 -- a modus called "pastillas," after the Philippine dessert, because the money used to be rolled up in bond paper.

The terminal heads of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the chief of the travel control and enforcement unit were then relieved of duty pending the results of the agency's investigation.

“The President considers this anomaly, which some define as the ‘pastillas scheme’ as a grave form of corruption which cannot be countenanced by the government,” Panelo told reporters.

“Any official or employee who commits any wrong in the performance of their respective duties shall be meted out with the punishment that they deserve and in accordance with our penal laws.”

Panelo also said Morente still enjoys the trust and confidence of the President even though the “present situation” in the BI as well as how it is being run by Morente will be taken up in the next Cabinet meeting. —NB, GMA News