MIAA offers CCTV footages to BI’s ‘pastillas’ scam probe

In a weekly economic briefing held at Malacañang, MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said his office can give copies of CCTV footages, in case BI makes a request. (Shutterstock photo)

MANILA — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Wednesday expressed willingness to help the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in its investigation into the supposed “pastillas” scheme or alleged bribery involving Immigration officials and Chinese nationals.

In a weekly economic briefing held at Malacañang, MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said his office can give copies of CCTV footages, in case BI makes a request.

“Definitely, kapag merong valid reason kapag humingi ang ating ahensya, wala tayong problema doon (Definitely, there is no problem if there is a valid reason for it (BI) to ask for a copy of CCTV),” he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday divulged that Chinese nationals working in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) are paying PHP10,000 as “service fee” or grease money to get special treatment from BI officials upon their arrival in the Philippines.

Hontiveros called the illicit act as “pastillas” scheme because the money from Chinese nationals would be concealed in rolled bond paper like the wrapper for the milk candy.

Monreal said the MIAA sympathizes with BI amid the controversy plaguing the bureau.

“Siguro kasing bigat nang nararamdaman ng ahensya ng Immigration kahit hindi kami directly involved, siyempre, kami ay we sympathize with the bureau kung ganoon ang naging label (Perhaps, we feel the weight of the issue that’s being felt by Immigration bureau. While we are not directly involved, of course, we sympathize with the bureau because of the label),” he said.

Monreal, nevertheless, was optimistic that the issue would be resolved immediately.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente already called for immediate conduct of an investigation to identify the immigration personnel who are purportedly involved in the scheme and file appropriate cases against them.

Morente formed a fact-finding panel that is tasked to submit a report on the “pastillas“ scheme within 15 days.

Five BI officials were relieved from their posts due to “command responsibility.”

The identities of the relived officials were not disclosed, but they are terminal heads and heads of the travel control and enforcement unit of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, Immigration Spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.

Sandoval also clarified that the relieved BI officials are “not necessarily the center of the investigation.

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Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Tuesday said the Palace would also probe the alleged “pastillas“ scheme, once it receives a formal complaint.