BI forms group to hunt down fixer

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration has formed a group that will hunt down a fixer who introduced himself as a BI officer and allegedly extorted P75,000 from a prospective overseas Filipino worker.

The BI sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to run after the fixer, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said on Wednesday.

Morente refused to identify the bogus BI officer pending his arrest.

He said he received information about the suspect’s whereabouts.

“I have instructed the BI travel control and enforcement unit and intelligence division to coordinate with the NBI to ensure that this person is punished under the law,” Morente said.

He formed the group after the fake BI officer, known only as James, allegedly extorted money from a Filipina worker who attempted to leave for Dubai using a tourist visa last December.

The complainant said the suspect offered to escort her for a fee at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport but she was intercepted by authorities.