These must be among the reasons why there have been numerous reports for many years now about foreigners becoming victims of extortion – by police, or by personnel at airports and the Bureau of Immigration. Remembering how Filipinos fought with them in the war against the north, South Koreans have also provided significant amounts of official development assistance to the Philippines. Fortunately, the government has acted quickly and identified 18 immigration agents tagged in the alleged extortion. President Duterte himself reportedly ordered the suspension of the BI personnel, 10 of them regular employees and the eight holding “job order” or confidential positions. This latest case involving the South Koreans should lead to a thorough housecleaning in the bureau.

Source: Philippine Star April 09, 2019 16:01 UTC