Sinuspinde ng Department of Justice (DoJ) ang 18 Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at employees na umano’y sangkot sa pangingikil ng P9.2 milyon mula sa mga South Korean.

Ayon kay DoJ spokesperson Undersecretary Markk Perete, mismong si Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra ang nag-utos na suspendehin ang 18 officers at empleyado.

“The Justice Secretary, after evaluating the sworn statements of the Korean nationals as well as the documentary evidence provided by the BI, found a prima facie case against said officers and employees for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” pahayag ni Perete.

Aniya, ang 18 BI officers at employees ay sinuspinde ng 90 araw habang nagsasagawa ng imbestigasyon laban sa kanila.

“The Secretary also ordered them to submit their respective answers within seventy two (72) hours from receipt of the formal charge issued against them,” ayon sa Undersecretary.

“Meanwhile, the Office of the Secretary is evaluating the proper course of action as regards job order contractors who allegedly participated in the extortion of the Korean nationals,” dagdag niya.

Inisyu ni Guevarra ang suspension order nang ipag-utos ni BI Commissioner Jaime Morente na suspendehin ang 18 BI officers at empleyado.

Ayon sa 15 Korean, nitong Marso 6, sila ay inaresto ng BI agents dahil umano sa overstaying.

Dahil sa takot na makulong, napilitan ang mga Korean na maglabas ng pera na umabot sa kabuuang P9.2 milyon.

-Jeffrey G. Damicog