Remulla bares resurgence of 'escort' scheme in Immigration

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) — Justice Secretary Boying Remulla has revealed that he has been receiving many calls about the return of corruption practices at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) particularly the so called «escort services» scheme.

“Kasi yung pastillas (scheme) is a form of an escort service that was practiced before," he told a briefing on Wednesday. «And parang bumabalik, resurgence, and very creative ways of doing it.»

[Translation: The pastillas is a form of escort service that was practiced before. And it seems like it's returning, resurgence, and very creative ways of doing it.]

Remulla said the DOJ is not turning a blind eye on the issue.

«We’re looking at this now,» he stressed. "'Yung escort service nga yung aming tinitingnan. Escorting people in and out. Those with problems in their visas and in their passports are being escorted in and out of our gates by unscrupulous BI officials and syndicates attached to them."

[Translation: We're looking at this escort service now. Escorting people in and out. Those with problems in their visas and in their passports are being escorted in and out of our gates by unscrupulous BI officials and syndicates attached to them.]

Remulla said he will meet with BI commissioner Norman Tansingco on the matter, adding he is not ruling out the involvement of some officials as they look at a big scheme.

“As big as the pastillas, that may be happening now in the airport,” he noted.

Remulla has already directed the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the syndicate within BI who may be behind the conspiracy.

The «pastillas scheme» was uncovered in 2020 involving BI officials who allegedly allowed Chinese nationals to enter the country without background checks in exchange for grease money.

It was dubbed the «pastillas» scam as the bribe would be hidden in rolled bond paper similar to a wrapped milk candy.