The United States embassy and the Foreign Law Enforcement Community Philippines has commended the efforts of the Bureau of Immigration for barring the entry of registered sex offenders and for apprehending fugitives in the country.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that the United States Embassy in Manila lauded the BI’s support in transnational crime investigations and the Operation Angel Watch Program.
“The Operation Angel Watch Program is a joint project of the US Homeland Security Investigations [HSI] and the BI. Our shared efforts helped bar the entry of a large number of RSOs,” Morente said.
The BI management received the awards in the recent First Quarter Consultative Meeting at Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila.
In 2019, the BI prevented 160 foreign sex offenders from entering the country.
Three more commendations from the Embassies of Japan, China, and Russia were given to the BI.
According to Morente, the BI received the commendations for their significant efforts in locating, apprehending, and deporting foreign nationals who fled to the Philippines to avoid incarceration in their countries.
“Thirty-six foreign nationals wanted for telecommunications fraud in Japan were caught. More than 2,200 illegal aliens have been arrested last year. We have also apprehended a Russian fugitive wanted for large-scale fraud,” said Morente in recounting their accomplishments.
Morente then lauded the agents of the Bureau for their hard work, and assured the Foreign Law Enforcement Community of their continued support. “We recognize the relentless efforts of the men and women of BI. It is with their persistence and integrity in their jobs that make the work done,” Morente said
“We can ascertain that we will maintain our coordination with our counterparts to make the Philippines a better and safer place.”
Meanwhile, the BI also bagged a commendation from the Philippine embassy ni Canberra for "the timely initiative of establishing the Office of the Commissioner's Helpline". In a letter from Ambassador Ma. Helen B. Dela Vega, the embassy expressed their appreciation for the project which helped Filipinos needing urgent information and assistance.
"The issues that the BI is facing now has muddled the efforts of good men and women in providing quality public service," said Morente. "The public is assured that we will continue doing our mandate effectively and efficiently," he added.