By Fernan Angeles
AT least 86 personalities face the possibility of spending some time behind bars as the National Bureau of Investigation – Special Action Unit (NBI – SAU) has finally recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against them 86 for alleged involvement in the so-called pastillas scheme.
In their 27-page complaint, the NBI SAU dragged eight high-ranking officials of the Bureau of Immigration, which include former Division Chief of Port Operations Division Marc Red Mariñas as its mastermind.
Likewise implicated were the terminal heads of the Terminal Control and Enforcement Unit in NAIA 1, 2 and 3 and the over-all head of BI Border Control and Intelligence Unit.
NBI claimed in its complaint that the suspects received bribe money, gifts and even women.
SAU chief Atty. Jun Donggallo Jr. said the case against the 86 personalities is air-tight, bolstered by revelations made and evidence provided by Immigration Officer Dale Ignacio, the NBI’s second whistle-blower.
The NBI considers Donggallo as an “insider” tasked to keep lists of Chinese nationals whom they allowed to enter the country sans proper immigration documents, for a cost.
Donggallo added that Ignacio also confirmed earlier revelations made by first whistle-blower Immigration Officer Allison Chiong.
The NBI had requested the Ombudsman to drop Ignacio from the list of those who will be criminally charged and instead be utilized as a state witness.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said they have not yet received a copy of the complaint.
As this developed, NBI vowed to run after all the remaining members of the Pastillas group including private individuals, travel agencies and possible “protectors” of the pastillas scheme.
The Office of the Ombudsman earlier suspended an unspecified number of Immigration personnel over the scheme.
The pastillas scam is said to be a scheme in which Chinese high-rollers and offshore gaming workers bribe Immigration officers with wads of cash in exchange for their unhampered entry into the country.