By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Immigration officers have intercepted an overstaying Chinese man who tried to leave the country at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.
In a report to Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) said Zhang Chao, 31, was stopped at the NAIA Terminal 1 while attempting to board a Malaysian Airways flight to Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 24.
The foreigner was found to have overstayed since December last year but was attempting to illegally pass through immigration.
“He was found to have been processed by an immigration officer who we suspect facilitated his illegal departure,” Viado said in a statement Wednesday.
He said an investigation is underway into an immigration officer after Zhang’s passport was marked cleared despite him being unable to properly extend his visa.
“We have initiated an investigation on this matter, and will recommend to the Department of Justice to file the appropriate case against the said officer,” he added.
Viado reiterated that he is implementing a ‘one-strike policy’ and will not hesitate to push for the charges against erring officers.
Zhang was turned over to the BI’s legal division for booking and initiation of deportation proceedings. He will remain at the BI facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig pending deportation. (PNA)
