BI chief to crack whip on illegal aliens

MANILA, Philippines - Following terror attacks in various parts of the world, newly appointed Bureau of Immigration (BI) chief Jaime Morente said Friday he will order a crackdown on undocumented foreigners.

Morente, a retired police general, said he is bent on implementing stricter border control because of the possibility that some of these undocumented foreigners might belong to “sleeper cells for terrorists. I don’t want the blood of the people on my hands.”

Business owners who employed them should “send them home or else you might get in trouble for harboring these undocumented (foreigners),” he said.

Morente, 57, replaced Ronaldo Geron, who served as the agency’s head for six months. 

He said the BI will use its resources for “target hardening” because of the escalating level of terrorist activities across the globe.

The BI will also intensify information gathering to prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the country.

“I have heard of special flights coming in and some flights bringing in drugs into the country. I would like to look into it,” Morente said.

He also urged BI employees who are involved in corrupt practices to stop, adding that he will review the performance of each department and may enforce a revamp after a month.

Morente intends to streamline the processing of documents. President Duterte, in his inaugural speech, said he wants all government processes simplified.