Philippine airport syndicate has sweet deal for Chinese nationals looking to work illegally

Immigration officials have been accused of taking bribes to provide priority entry to Chinese nationals, many of whom go on to work for gambling firms

Known as pastillas after a Philippine confectionery, the payments could have come to almost US$20 million in the past few years, a senator says

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Officials at Manila’s airport preparing the alleged pastillas pay-offs. Photo: Handout

Published: 10:23pm, 17 Feb 2020Updated: 7:10pm, 22 Feb 2020

A syndicate at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport is providing priority entry into the Philippines for Chinese nationals who bribe immigration officials with wads of cash, a senator revealed on Monday.

The group operates with such impunity that it uses tabulated payrolls to track income and how much should go to individual immigration agents. The cash is openly distributed in neat envelopes arranged in boxes.

According to senator Risa Hontiveros, who presented CCTV footage and testimony from an unnamed whistle-blower, the syndicate charged 10,000 pesos (US$197) per client and might have raked in 1 billion pesos (US$19.8 million) in the past few years.

She called the officials involved “traitors to the country”.

In response to Hontiveros’ presentation, Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval told media that bureau chief Jaime Morente was “deeply alarmed” and had ordered “a full-blown investigation”.

Philippine airport syndicate has sweet deal for Chinese nationals looking to work illegally

Immigration officials have been accused of taking bribes to provide priority entry to Chinese nationals, many of whom go on to work for gambling firms Known as pastillas after a Philippine confectionery, the payments could have come to almost US$20 million in the past few years, a senator says

Immigration officials have been accused of taking bribes to provide priority entry to Chinese nationals, many of whom go on to work for gambling firms

Known as pastillas after a Philippine confectionery, the payments could have come to almost US$20 million in the past few years, a senator says