Surprise raid yields gadgets, sharp objects in BI facility

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday reported the confiscation of gadgets, sharp objects, and gambling paraphernalia from detainees in a recent surprise raid by law enforcers in its warden facility in Taguig City.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the raid was conducted on the early morning of February 4.

He said the operation was part of a series of random surprise inspections to ensure that the BI warden facility remains drug-free and free from illegal paraphernalia.

Some of the items confiscated were tablets, laptops, cellphones, alcoholic beverages, kitchen knives, scissors, and tools such as screwdrivers, hammers, and pliers.

“This shakedown is long overdue, as the last raid that we conducted done a year ago. Such raids are also done to ensure that there is no special treatment in PDL,” the BI chief said in a statement.

Aside from warden facility’s management, officers from the BI Intelligence Division as well as the BI Anti-Terrorist Group in coordination with the Philippine National Police National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Intelligence Division, PNP Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the NCRPO – Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) conducted the raid.

“While the facility is not a jail, the use of gadgets is regulated. Gambling paraphernalia are not allowed, and sharp objects are prohibited to prevent any untoward incidents,” said Morente.

The confiscated items were accounted for and temporarily kept for safekeeping in the warden facility, for release upon the owner’s deportation.