Close to 500 foreigners have been excluded since February as a result of the heightened vigilance and stricter screening of passengers by immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other international airports across the country, the Bureau of Immigration said.
BI-Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said from March 1 to 6, a total of 160 foreigners were excluded as the bureau continued to tighten its screening and monitoring of foreigners.
In February, more than 300 foreigners, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodians, Myanmar, Thais, and Indonesians, were also barred from entering the country.
The exclusion of foreigners came on the heels of the investigation on the alleged “pastillas” scheme where foreigners were being accorded VIP treatment in exchange for money.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered an investigation on the racket as he assured cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice for a separate probe and lifestyle check of all alleged BI personnel linked to the scheme at NAIA.
Most of the foreigners who were barred entry have the intention of working illegally at Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), while some were women suspected to be trafficked for sex work.
Morente said the foreigners will be included in the bureau’s blacklist so that they will not be able to return to the country in the future.
Only recently, the BI chief ordered a total revamp of the NAIA personnel following the reveal of the “pastillas” scandal during a Senate hearing on POGOs.