BI chief orders stricter procedures on deportation

Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. ordered yesterday the implementation of stricter procedures and regulations on the deportation of aliens following the "escape" of kidnapping suspect Zhang Du last May 7.

Zhang, also known as Wilson Du, is one of the suspects in the kidnapping of Jackie Tiu four years ago

He was allowed to return to China after he submitted fabricated clearances from the court, police and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Fernandez said he has ordered personnel, particularly members of the Civil Security Unit (CSU), to double check records before issuing inmates clearance to leave the country.

He specifically entrusted his task force or the bureau’s legal division chief to deliver the copies of the deportation orders against any foreign detainee, along with the required authenticated clearances from the court, police and NBI to the CSU chief and warden.

"At no instance shall the written transmittal and final voluntary deportation order or summary deportation order and required clearances be entrusted or hand carried personally or directly by either counsel or representative of the alien detainee or the detainee himself," he said.

The immigration chief also instructed the CSU chief and warden not to accept photocopies of deportation orders and clearances if they are not certified true copies and accompanied by certified copies of submitted clearances.

Original copies of the deportation order and clearances are also required and shall be kept by the CSU chief and warden.

In a statement, the BI chief said aliens who are subjects of deportation and those included in watchlists or hold departure orders (HDOs) issued either by the bureau, courts or other government agencies should be required to present certified true copies of final court orders showing that the case has been dismissed or that he has been acquitted of the crime.

His name should also be lifted from the HDO.

The controversial release of Zhang has placed the Bureau of Immigration in a bad light.

Fernandez relieved the bureau’s warden and terminated the services of several contractual jail guards at the Bicutan jail.

The case is now the subject of an investigation by the National Anti-Crime Task Force and the Department of Justice to determine the culpability of BI officials who might have aided Zhang.

The NBI is also coordinating with its counterparts in China for the immediate repatriation of the suspect. – Evelyn Macairan