MANILA, Philippines — A dismissed employee of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) was arrested for entering the Department of Justice (DOJ) while carrying an unlicensed firearm on Tuesday.
According to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the suspect managed to enter his office and take a selfie with him before being arrested by security officers.
Remulla said the suspect has been described as a “scammer” and could also be suffering from a mental illness.
“His case for now is illegal possession of firearms. We started tightening our security because we know we can be vulnerable with the many cases we are handling,” Remulla told reporters yesterday.
The DOJ chief said he would limit taking selfies with strangers.
“Selfies should be limited since it is being weaponized by some people,” Remulla said. “Officials should be able to turn down selfies without the other party taking it the wrong way.”
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the suspect worked in the bureau as a contractual employee for only seven months.
The suspect was dismissed from the BI in March amid reports that he was engaged in activities not associated with his duty, according to Sandoval. – Evelyn Macairan