“There are still other big messes that Viado has yet to face and deal with”
WE’VE been following developments in the Bureau of Immigration and observed that lately it has been garnering much praise for a job well done.
This is in stark contrast to its dark past. Not too long ago, this was seen as a rotten agency.
In fact, some solons had labelled it “hopeless” since scoundrels within its ranks periodically got involved in shady activities which may have disillusioned the public.
It seems there is a more sympathetic public attitude towards the agency today.
It started when BI agents were able to re-arrest in record time a Korean national facing charges and who was then detained in its facilities.
We recall that, within a few days, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado and his men had the Korean fugitive back in custody.
Viado’s team prevented what could have been a repeat of the mysterious escape of former Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. If Viado failed to recapture this fugitive, his head may have rolled the same way his predecessor did.
So far, with his string of successes, it looks like Viado may not be poised to suffer the same fate. He may have been doing things right.
Erstwhile critics of the agency are changing their tune.
The recent accomplishments of his team – in addition to the quick recapture of the Korean fugitive – have not gone unnoticed even by our solons.
Viado’s move to conduct a thorough probe of the ranks of the BI has gotten both support and applause.
People are taking seriously his warning to BI employees that he will get to the bottom of allegations that immigration agents are involved in the exit of our countrymen who ended up being victims of international human trafficking syndicates.
He had already fired and suspended a number of them.
More recently, the BI chief issued a memorandum banning the loading of deportees on flights back to their home country which have layovers.
At last, someone in the BI saw this gaping hole in the deportation process.
While this has been hailed as a bright move on the part of the BI, we can only wonder why it is being done only under Viado’s watch. Did not previous BI chiefs see this very same loophole?
We also noted that Viado has received positive responses to his proposal to penalize Filipinos illegally exiting the country. This has been lauded as an additional protection to our countrymen who are prey to human trafficking syndicates.
If Viado’s proposal makes it to the legislature and to the President’s desk for signature, there will be another set of disincentives to so-called “willing victims.”
It looks like Viado might get support from our legislators for this particular move.
To be fair to Viado, these moves are lending credibility to his promise to transform this much-maligned agency. He should, however, be warned that the BI cannot rest on its recent laurels.
There are still other big messes that Viado has yet to face and deal with.
For one, he needs to get the full support and cooperation of other law enforcement agencies operating within the immigration sphere. Syndicates got past our authorities due to lack of coordination.
We do not wish to belittle the efforts of the good BI Commissioner. We just wish to point out that his good intentions may not be enough.
He has to accept the fact that there are people – both inside and outside of government – who see the immigration front as a lucrative business.
As long as there is big money to be made from faking documents, extricating or aiding the escape of locked up aliens facing deportation, or human trafficking, Viado’s efforts at reform may not be enough.
Viado must expect that he is in a difficult situation. When things go wrong, he will surely get the blame.
Taking flak is part of job since he is the official immigration czar. He must also keep in mind that there are other people who want him out of that post and others who salivate for his post.
The reasons are obvious: a “cooperative” BI chief is good for business.
Viado is obviously not ready to cooperate with the powerful, shadowy characters running the underground business in the immigration front. As mentioned in our previous column, he better watch his back.
The recognition the BI has been getting recently for a job well done may not be enough to shield him from those whose underground operations he has put at risk. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
