A 61-year-old agent of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) was relieved from his post and is facing administrative charges for extorting money from a Korean national in Cebu City.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the agent was arrested in an entrapment operation by officers of the Philippine National Police Regional Police Office 7 (PNP-RPO 7).
The Korean national, who filed the complaint against the BI agent, cooperated with authorities and participated in the entrapment operation that occurred on the evening of May 5, 2026 at a restaurant along A.S. Fortuna Street in Mandaue City.
The suspect was immediately arrested after receiving the marked money from the suspect.
Viado confirmed that the agent was relieved from his post. The agency has also endorsed the suspect’s case to the Civil Service Commission for the termination of his contract of service.
“We will not allow a single erring employee to tarnish the integrity of the Bureau. This incident demonstrates that law enforcement entities and other government agencies are making an effort to stop individuals from abusing their authority,” Viado said.