The Bureau of Immigration (BI) dismissed the head and staff at their detention facility after it was discovered that a Japanese detainee suspected of masterminding illegal activities in Japan had six cellphones even though he was in detention.
In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB this Friday, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said that the head of the warden facility is responsible for what happens in his jurisdiction.
“Because if [it’s] this massive then definitely po there must be something going on. So napalitan po ang head and all the people po inside the facility. Pinagpapalitan po natin ‘yan ng mga bago po na mga empleyado natin,” said Sandoval.
The Department of Justice said on Tuesday that six iPhones were seized from one of the four Japanese nationals, who the Japanese government requested to deport them because of their involvement in illegal activities in their country.
According to Sandoval, there was no permission from Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco to use cellphones in the facility.
“Ang paggamit po ng gadget sa warden facility natin pinapayagan po with prior approval ng commissioner. So kailangan po may authorization muna ng commissioner and may schedule po ‘yan,” the official said.
Head, staff at BI detention facility removed from post
“But nakita po natin na marami pong mga gadget doon and wala pa po, mula nung nag-assume po si Commissioner Tansingco, wala pa po siyang pinipirmahan na any request or application for approval na paggamit po ng mga gadget,” said Sandoval.
Tansingco also reportedly visited and inspected the facility.
“And nakikita po niya na it’s really something to be prioritized by the Bureau because it’s a concern already if it’s being abused by these kinds of syndicates or criminals here in the country,” said Sandoval.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the controversy involving four Japanese fugitives now held in the Philippines will not impede President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s travel to Japan next week.
“If there is a decision to deport these concerned Japanese nationals, the Philippines will follow the timeline of deportation proceedings in accordance with the Philippine laws,” said DFA chief Neal Imperial.
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