Immigration officer guilty of discourtesy

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has found an immigration officer guilty of an administrative offense over his alleged insistence to have another person allowed entry into the Cebu International Port (CIP) Gate 2 without proper identification.

Immigration Officer 1 Abel Joyo Jr., of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Cebu City is being held liable for simple discourtesy. He was meted the penalty of reprimand, with a stern warning that the repetition of the same offense, or the commission of a similar one, would be dealt with severely.

“While respondent was charged with violation of Republic Act 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the Office finds him administratively liable for simple discourtesy,” the decision read.

Albert Dacles, in his complaint, alleged he was a security guard employed by GDS Security Agency assigned at Gate 2 of the CIP complex.

On August 17, 2017, Joyo, driving a Ford Everest with plate number ADP 4108 with his colleague immigration officer Karla Jugi Jacob Bagares onboard, requested to pass through CIP Gate 2.

Upon inspection of their IDs, Dacles informed Joyo that he can enter but not Bagares because the latter was not included in the list of BI personnel issued an easy access pass.

However, Joyo allegedly got mad and uttered foul and disrespectful remarks, one of which was: “Putang ina ka! Officer ako! Ikaw ano ka lang dyan?!”

Dacles explained that he was only doing his duty.

When Joyo tried passing through the gate in his vehicle, Dacles immediately closed it. Joyo allegedly disembarked from his vehicle, confronted Dacles, and tried to grab his collar but was able to evade.

However, Joyo got hold of his necktie and CPA ID which Joyo allegedly tried to crumple and throw to the ground.

In his counter-affidavit, Joyo alleged the first guard recognized him. However, the second guard, Dacles, barred his entry.

Dacles allegedly arrogantly informed them to get a daily pass from the CPA Office and arrogantly directed Bagares to step out of the vehicle.

He also denied that he grabbed Dacles’ collar and crumpled the latter’s ID.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Eileen Mae Lagat-Alde reprimanded Joyo for his actions.

“As a public officer, respondent is bound, in the performance of his official duties, to observe courtesy, civility, and self-restraint in his dealings with others. In this case, respondent’s act of uttering foul words at complainant and grabbing the latter’s ID after his colleague Bagares was denied entry to the CIP obviously display discourtesy,” the decision read. — BRP (FREEMAN)