Latest news with #JoelViado
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- GMA Network
4 Pinoys rescued from online scam hub in Cambodia —BI
Four Filipinos who were rescued from an online scam hub in Cambodia have returned safely to the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Wednesday. The workers were repatriated after falling victim to a job scam that lured them to supposed high-paying jobs abroad. Instead, the victims were employed as scammers in online scam firms in Phnom Penh, according to Mao dela Cruz's Super Radyo dzBB report. Three of the victims flew out of the country as tourists while one left through a backdoor exit. 4 na Pilipino na nabiktima ng job scam sa Cambodia, naibalik na ng Bureau of Immigration (BI) sa bansa. | via Mao dela Cruz — DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 16, 2025 The victim, who was from Palawan, said he traveled via boat to Malaysia before arriving in Thailand, Myanmar, and then Cambodia. While working, the victims recalled being forced to engage in various online scams, including 'phishing scams.' They also experienced maltreatment and were not paid for months. BI Commissioner Joel Viado condemned the incident and said the agency will strengthen monitoring in the country's ports. He also said the BI is now investigating whether any immigration personnel were involved in the backdoor exit of the victim. Meanwhile, Viado reminded the public to refrain from accepting online job offers and to only transact with licensed agencies. —Sundy Locus/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- GMA Network
BI warns Pinoys vs new trafficking scheme to Pakistan
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) warned the public of an alleged new scheme involving Filipino victims being trafficked to Pakistan to work illegally in online gaming hubs. According to the BI, immigration officials recently intercepted four Filipinos — one man and three women — at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) while attempting to depart for Hong Kong. The victims initially claimed they were traveling for vacation but during secondary inspection, they admitted they were en route to Pakistan to work as cleaners and a cook at an online gaming compound. The passengers said they were recruited by a Chinese national, who promised them monthly salaries ranging from ?35,000 to 45,000, and provided them with cash for their travel, and instructed them to pose as tourists until further arrangements were made. 'This is a deeply disturbing trend. We are now seeing victims being funneled to Pakistan for illegal online work — clearly a new scheme from the same criminal playbook tied to illegal POGOs,' BI Commissioner Joel Viado said. 'This shows how traffickers are becoming more aggressive and deceptive,' Viado said. Viado added: 'These people were promised jobs, but were told to lie about their purpose of travel and wait for further instructions overseas. This modus operandi reeks of exploitation and abuse'. The BI referred the findings to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for investigation. —Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
BI chief Viado: Impartial probe to provide clarity on corruption allegations
Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado on Wednesday welcomed the investigation into the corruption allegations within the bureau. Viado made the remark after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he is looking into the accusations of corruption at the Bureau of Immigration (BI). 'We respectfully acknowledge and welcome President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s statement regarding the need to look into the issues raised in the so-called BI white paper,' said Viado in a statement. 'We share the President's view that transparency, fairness, and due process are essential in addressing matters of public concern,' he added. Viado also said the BI trusts that 'an impartial and comprehensive investigation will bring clarity, establish accountability where warranted, and ultimately strengthen the public's trust in our institutions.' On Monday, the Immigration chief denied the corruption allegations against the BI, including the supposed mishandling of cases related to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country. The issue stemmed from a letter purportedly sent by BI employees to the President last week, in which they allegedly accused Viado of corruption. The BI employees—who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns of retaliation from Viado—mentioned in the letter the alleged corrupt practices under the present BI leadership, including the supposed mishandling of POGO-related cases and their deportation. Viado has dismissed the letter as part of a 'smear campaign.' He also accused a senior BI official of fueling the issue after the BI chief supposedly rejected his request to release a Chinese national linked to a powerful political figure from the previous administration. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
06-06-2025
- GMA Network
3 Immigration officers probed over escape attempt of 4 overstaying Chinese
The Bureau of Immigration is investigating three of its officers for possibly colluding with four overstaying Chinese nationals who attempted to evade airport inspection and leave the Philippines. 'Any personnel found to have assisted in the circumvention of immigration procedures will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law,' Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said in a statement released Thursday. According to the BI, officers of the Bureau's Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section intercepted four Chinese nationals as they tried to board separate flights to China and Vietnam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Monday. The Chinese nationals were identified as Zhang Zhaoya, Wang Linmei, Qi Xiangyang, and Chen Wenda. The bureau said Zhang has been overstaying in the country since July 2024 while Wang and Qi have been overstaying since September 2024. Though Chen has a valid working visa, the BI said he did not have an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC), which is a mandatory requirement for departing long-term residents. 'This interception reflects the Bureau's firm resolve to prevent foreign nationals who violate our immigration laws from escaping accountability,' Viado said. 'We are implementing redundancy checks, utilizing CCTV monitoring systems, and strengthening coordination among our units to prevent these attempts,' he added. Meanwhile, the foreigners were turned over to the BI's legal division for inquest and fling of charges, according to the bureau. —Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News
