Immigration officers assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other major ports will not be allowed to go on leave this coming Holy Week to ensure the adequate personnel to serve the traveling public during the holidays.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente instructed BI port operations division Marc Red Mariñas not to entertain applications for vacation and forced leaves for the period of March 20 until April 1.
Mariñas issued a memorandum order requiring all immigration officers in all international airport terminals to report for work during the Lenten break due to the expected influx and exodus of large numbers of international travelers.
“The week before the Lenten break normally sees a rise in number of departing travelers while its aftermath would be characterized by increased passenger arrivals, Mariñas said.
Morente reiterated that should the need arises, the BI is ready to deploy another batch of IOs currently detailed in other BI offices situated in and outside of Metro Manila and the 100 IOs presently undergoing Basic Immigration Officer Course at the Philippine Immigration Academy.
The BI chief said that he already issued personnel orders reassigning several immigration officers to the airports in Clark, Mactan, and Kalibo which needed manpower augmentation due to the opening of additional flights.
Meanwhile, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Monreal has designated a new Assistant General Manager for Security and Emergency Services Division at the airport following the appointment of Allen Capuyan to the Office of the President.
Monreal tapped MIAA-Intelligence and Investigation Division and Pass Control chief Arnulfo Junio to replace Capuyan in an acting capacity after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the transfer of the latter to his office.
As OIC-AGM for Security and Emergency Services at the airport, among Junio’s new duties and functions are to formulate and implement the general management objectives, policies, measures and guidelines pertaining to security, firefighting and rescue and medical services at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Junio will also provide executive leadership in the overall management, supervision and control of the administration operations and internal control of affairs affecting security services, aircraft and passenger safety and the provision of medical services.
In August last year, Capuyan went on leave after his name cropped up during the Senate hearing on smuggling involving government officials.
Capuyan filed a leave of absence at the airport after Customs broker Mark Taguba tagged him at a hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for his alleged involvement in the irregularities and alleged corruption in the Bureau of Customs.
At the said hearing presided by Senator Richard Gordon, Taguba said that one “Tita Nani” introduced him to a group led by a certain “Noel” and Capuyan, who allegedly used the alias “Big Brother.”
Taguba added Capuyan sent him an e-mail containing tariff codes that would give him access to the green lane, where shipments will be placed under minimal inspection.
He said Capuyan is also part of the so-called “Davao Group.”
Taguba added he remained with Capuyan’s group until lawmakers conducted inquiries into the smuggling of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, worth P6.4 billion at the Manila International Container Port three months ago.
Taguba is now in jail in connection with the case.