Latest news with #Viado
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
China man posing as Filipino, four others arrested in Cebu
LILOAN, Cebu: Bureau of Immigration-Central Visayas (BI-7) operatives arrested a Chinese man who allegedly misrepresented himself as a Filipino. The operation followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's directive to protect the country's sovereignty from foreign nationals involved in illegal activities. In a news release on Sunday (May 18), Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Wang Chaoxin, 32, was arrested on May 14. Wang was reportedly managing a trading company while posing as a Filipino citizen. He was arrested along with four other Chinese nationals found to have violated the conditions of their stay in the Philippines. Three of Wang's companions held working visas but were found to be working for a company other than their declared employer. The fourth had no work permit, authorities said. The joint operation was conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Bureau of Investigation offices in Cebu and Manila. Viado said he issued the mission order after receiving intelligence from military sources that Wang had been using a false identity. Reports said Wang had acquired a Philippine driver's licence and birth certificate and registered his business under an assumed Filipino name. 'This successful operation is a testament to the strong coordination between the Bureau of Immigration and our law enforcement partners,' Viado said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
Filipino Times
10-04-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
NAIA opens dedicated OFW wing to speed up immigration processing for migrant workers
A new immigration wing dedicated to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) has been opened at NAIA Terminal 3 to streamline the departure process for migrant workers, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced on Wednesday. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the expanded facility includes six additional counters operated by 12 immigration officers, helping reduce congestion and ease travel flow, particularly during peak seasons. 'This dedicated OFW wing is a testament to our commitment to making immigration procedures smoother and more efficient for our modern-day heroes,' Viado said, emphasizing the agency's recognition of OFWs' sacrifices and their vital role in the economy. The new setup has already helped shorten lines at regular immigration counters for other travelers, both Filipino and foreign. The initiative comes ahead of the long holiday season, one of the busiest travel periods of the year. With over 3,400 OFWs departing from NAIA each day, the BI said the exclusive lanes are expected to significantly reduce waiting times and improve processing efficiency. Viado credited the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) for their collaboration in making the project a success. The move is also in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to enhance services for OFWs and support their continued contribution to the country's economic growth.
Filipino Times
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Bureau of Immigration calls for legal sanctions against Filipinos leaving PH illegally
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado has expressed his concern over reports that many Filipinos, including victims of human trafficking, have been leaving the country illegally. Viado proposed to lawmakers that they consider imposing legal sanctions against Filipinos who depart the country without proper documentation. 'The country has no specific law penalizing illegal departures. Cases may fall under related violations such as falsification of public documents or tampering under the Philippine Passport Act,' Viado said in a news release. 'But criminalizing illegal exits would serve as a strong deterrent to traffickers and would make victims think twice in accepting such offers,' he added. The suggestion comes after reports that 54 Filipinos who were repatriated from Myanmar could have left the country through illegal exit points, a practice known as 'backdoor' exit. Viado called for tighter monitoring of the southern borders, where traffickers have been using small boats to secretly transport victims abroad. The commissioner emphasized the need for the Philippines to strengthen border controls as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s initiative to secure the country's borders. The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) has also previously conducted a study focused on illegal exits and the smuggling of migrants by sea. The council has recommended that local government units (LGUs) and local law enforcement agencies (LEAs) increase surveillance in areas of concern to help catch traffickers before they can exploit more victims. 'I think this is just the tip of the iceberg,' said Viado, referring to the illegal exits and trafficking activities that continue to be a problem. 'We have long been raising this concern, and it's about time that this be acknowledged and addressed, to prevent more kababayans from being victimized by this syndicate,' he added.
Filipino Times
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
BI Commissioner orders dismissal of staff involved in South Korean fugitive's escape
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Viado has ordered the immediate dismissal of personnel allegedly involved in the escape of South Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon in Quezon City. Viado confirmed that criminal complaints have been filed against the implicated BI staff based on CCTV footage and testimonies pointing to potential collusion. 'This footage is damning evidence—this is not mere negligence,' Viado stated, referring to the footage that allegedly showed BI officers aiding Na's escape after a hearing for an estafa case. Na, wanted in South Korea for fraud, escaped from the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office after attending the hearing, sparking a manhunt. Viado emphasized that the case is now a full-blown criminal matter, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) taking over. He also placed other suspected immigration personnel under preventive suspension and vowed to combat corruption within the BI. 'The days of corruption and illicit deals in the Bureau are numbered,' he warned.
