Eight Bureau of Immigration personnel dismissed for alleged extortion

April 8, 2019

The Department of Justice has dismissed the Bureau of Immigration personnel involved in allegedly extorting from 15 South Korean nationals arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga last month.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Monday he ordered dismissal from service of eight of 18 Bureau of Immigration agents and employees.

These are confidential agents Jerson Alabata, Romeo Cabigquez, Eunice De Guzman, Ricalia Racelis, Rennard Quebral, Ferdinand Orendain, Dinarosan Macatanong and Lee Marvin Terminio.

Guevarra said the eight are those holding job order positions whose services could be terminated.

For the other 10 BI personnel involved who are holding permanent positions, Guevarra said they were preventively suspended for 90 days pending investigation.

Initial reports showed that the 18 BI personnel extorted the South Korean nationals they arrested last March 6 for supposedly overstaying.

They reportedly demanded P9 million for their release.

The South Koreans were made to pay various amounts ranging from P280,000 to P1 million. DMS