Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado has ordered an immediate investigation and the relief of two female immigration officers involved in a physical brawl at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.

Viado directed the agency’s disciplinary panel to launch a full administrative inquiry into the 22 September incident, requiring both personnel to surrender their posts and submit formal written explanations for their conduct.

“The BI expects all its personnel to maintain professionalism, proper decorum, and discipline at all times, particularly while performing their official duties,” the agency said in a statement issued following Viado’s directive.

“The agency will not tolerate any form of unprofessional conduct, misconduct, or behavior unbecoming of a public officer,” it added.

The directive follows a police report from the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group detailing an altercation between the two officers at the arrival counters around 9 p.m.

According to initial findings, one officer approached her colleague’s primary inspection booth regarding a personal dispute involving child support and a mutual acquaintance.

The argument escalated into hair-pulling, slapping, and pushing in front of international travelers after one officer began recording the interaction on a mobile phone.

Viado signaled that appropriate administrative penalties will be meted out based on the inquiry’s findings.

Meanwhile, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eric Ines backed theW immigration chief’s swift action and recommended revoking the involved personnel’s airport access passes, calling the public incident “sad and deeply embarrassing.”