The Bureau of Immigration has relieved the head and 35 other personnel of its Immigration detention facility after discovering that some detained foreign nationals were getting access to prohibited items, including mobile devices.
“(These) 36 (officers) were relieved, including the head, following the raid the other day,” Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.
The raid happened during the 31 January Oplan Greyhound carried out by 49 operatives from the bureau’s Intelligence Division assisted by 84 policemen and SWAT personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office.
The authorities confiscated sharp objects, construction tools, cigarettes, mobile phones, laptops, modems and undeclared cash. Six iPhones belonging to one of the four Japanese citizens subject to deportation requests from the Japanese government were also seized.
The Bureau is now imposing a heightened security alert at the country’s only major holding center for deportees.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco personally went to the facility on Friday to issue his marching orders and make sure the new team follows through in the improvement in systems and facilities.
Tansingco said that a lot can be done to improve the facility. After seeing the situation firsthand, they have seen opportunities for improvement and issues that need to be addressed.
Tansingco, who celebrated his first 100 days only in December, committed giving the BI Ward Facility upgrading first priority.
BI said that the BIWF serves as the temporary holding facility for foreign nationals set for deportation and is located inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig. During the inspection, the management of the BIWF was turned over to its new head, Intelligence Officer II Leander Catalo.
Earlier, Commissioner Tansingco relieved the previous chief of the BIWF, including the 35 other personnel, and reassigned them to other back-end offices pending an investigation.
The probe is related to the 30 January surprise raid by agents of the BI’s intelligence section, with assistance from the NCRPO, which resulted in the discovery of unlicensed electronics, unreported cash, cigarettes, sharp items and building supplies.
In accordance with BI policy, foreign wards may use their smartphones for a limited time to speak with embassy representatives, their attorneys, or their families with the Commissioner’s permission. Tansingco, however, has not issued any such authorizations since taking office on 15 September 2022.
After the raid, Tansingco immediately ordered that foreign fugitives be held separately from other deportees. He said that fugitives require more security and tighter regulations as compared to those with lesser offenses.
“I have instructed the new management of the BIWF to implement improvements in the facility and to ensure that no such incident occurs in the future,” Tansingco said. “Those found to be remiss in their duty will definitely face administrative sanctions,” he added.
Tansingco shared that they have submitted the report of the raid to the Department of Justice.