Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco lauded Jay Manansala, an agent with the Border Control and Intelligence Unit (BCIU) at the Clark International Airport (CIA), for his refusal to accept a bribe of Php50,000 from an Indian national attempting to enter the country.
The individual in question, Jaskaran Singh, a 20-year-old Indian man, arrived at the CIA on October 12 aboard a Scoot Airlines flight from Singapore. According to an official statement by the BI, Singh was denied entry because he could not prove his financial capacity for the trip or clarify the purpose of his visit. Singh was thus denied entry under Section 29(a)5 of the Philippine Immigration Act. Following the decision, he was handed over to the airline to be placed on the next flight back to Singapore.
In a turn of events, during the exclusion process, Singh gave the phone to Manansala, asking him to speak with a man claiming to be his father. The alleged father then offered a bribe of Php50,000 for Singh’s release. Manansala, upholding his duty, declined the bribe.
Following this refusal, Singh began to display unruly behavior, shouting at the officers and even demanding they speak to another unidentified man on the phone who threatened legal action if Singh wasn’t released.
In response to the incident, Commissioner Tansingco stated, “We commend the unwavering dedication and integrity displayed by our immigration agent in the face of a tempting bribe. Our officers’ commitment to upholding the law and maintaining the integrity of our borders is truly commendable.”
The BI has since reported that Singh will be added to the Bureau’s blacklist, permanently prohibiting his entry into the country.