Once again the Bureau of Immigration has issued a warning to the public about fake immigration personnel attempting to extort money from Filipinos and especially foreign nationals within the country.
Heed the warning as numerous attempts have been made against foreign nationals in recent months and the fake officers are attempting to cause alarm to those who do not know they are in fact not real.
If confronted by an Bureau of Immigration officer, be sure to ask for his or her identification and if necessary call local police to verify their identity.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Siegfred Mison cautioned the public against fake immigration personnel extorting money from Filipinos and foreign nationals.
The warning came after a viral post on social media about an airport employee who allegedly claimed to be an immigration officer and solicited money from an OFW in exchange of escorting services.
“There are unscrupulous individuals out there who drag the name of the bureau by pretending to be immigration officers or agents,” said Mison.
Earlier this month, two men posing as BI agents were also nabbed after extorting money from a Malaysian working in Pasay City.
A certain Phil Balicuat and Emmanuel Salvador were arrested by the CIDG for allegedly introducing themselves as immigration agents and extorting money from the said foreign national.
“We do not tolerate such activities within our ranks,” said Mison. “We are appealing to the public to report anyone who tries to extort money by using the name of the Bureau. We have been working so hard to improve our services, and we will not let these crooks ruin the name of the BI through their illegal activities,” he added.
He also mentioned that all immigration personnel are required to wear their nameplates and I.D. cards for easy identification. Intelligence agents are likewise required to carry and present their Mission Orders during any raid or inspection.
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