Bureau of Immigration (BI) operatives conducted a surprise raid on detainees in its Warden Facility (BIWF) in Taguig Friday morning.
BIWF 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, and the assistance of the PNP Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the PNP NCRPO – Regional Mobile Force Battallion (RMFB) conducted the raid dubbed as ‘Greyhound Operation’ early morning of February 4.
According to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, the raid was part of a series of random surprise inspections to ensure that the facility remains drug-free and free from illegal paraphernalia.
“This shakedown is long overdue, as the last raid that we conducted done a year ago,” said Morente. “Such raids are also done to ensure that there is no special treatment in PDL,” he added.
Some of the items confiscated were gadgets like tablets, laptops, and cellphones, alcoholic beverages, gambling paraphernalia, kitchen knives, scissors and other sharp objects, and tools such as screwdrivers, hammers, and pliers.
“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 and temporarily kept for safekeeping in the BIWF, for release upon the owner’s deportation.
Vaccination of ages 5 to 11 begins
Some COVID-19 vaccination sites in Metro Manila looked like circuses and children’s parties with the start of vaccination of children aged five to 11 on February 7.
Aside from balloons and mascots, some local government units (LGUs) even have free chocolate, candy, and magic show to entice children to participate in pediatric vaccination in the National Capital Region, Monday.
“Ayon kay Mayora Abby, may nakalaang 10,000 piraso ng premium chocolates ang Makati para sa mga batang magpapabakuna laban sa COVID-19,” said City Government of Makati kanina.
“Sa pagbubukas ngayong araw ng Bakuna Makati program para sa mga batang 5-11 years old, siniguro ng Pamahalaang Lungsod na magiging masaya at hindi traumatic ang kanilang vaccination experience.”
In Manila, the newly rehabilitated Manila Zoo was also used as one of the pilot sites for the first dose vaccination of that age group.
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