BI chief Viado denies corruption claims

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado denied accusations of corruption allegations reportedly made by anonymous BI personnel in a “white paper” that has allegedly reached Malacañang.

In an official statement, Viado described the accusations as “patently false” and said he welcomes any investigation from relevant government agencies.

The “white paper” claimed that Viado had issued a release order on behalf of three ‘influential bosses’ behind the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) at the RiRance Building in Tambo, Parañaque City.

The complaint accuses Viado of ordering the release of three Chinese nationals Wang Qixin, Chen Jiangsong, and Luo Shangfen allegedly linked to a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub at the RiRance Building in Tambo, Parañaque City. The document also claims Viado blocked the transfer of the three to the BI Warden Facility in Bicutan, detaining them instead at the bureau’s main office.

Viado dismissed the white paper as part of a smear campaign allegedly fueled by a senior BI official whose request to release another Chinese national reportedly connected to a political figure from the previous administration was denied.

“I was also told that my rejection of the plea by this person to release the said Chinese national may have fueled the smear campaign.I have disregarded these warnings because the mandate I accepted was never about protecting myself, but about cleaning up a system long plagued by abuse,” the BI chief said in a statement.

He added that the BI had already identified the individuals behind the ‘smear campaign’ and intends to disclose their identities at the ‘appropriate time and venue.’

“We have kept the Honorable Secretary of Justice aware of these developments, as well as the identity and the motives of the parties behind this smear campaign."