Photo credit: BI

It looks like the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is in for a massive shake-up. Commissioner Joel Viado has made it crystal clear—he's not here to play games. After the shocking escape of a high-profile Korean fugitive, Viado wasted no time ordering the immediate dismissal of the BI personnel involved.

“This is a direct and undeniable breach of duty. Walang palusot, walang sisihan—lahat ng sangkot mananagot,” he declared. Translation? No excuses, no finger-pointing—everyone responsible will pay the price.

Viado isn’t just stopping at firings. He’s launching a full-scale crackdown on corruption within the agency. “Heads will roll,” he warned, signaling that this is only the beginning. “Those who think they can get away with this should think again.”

To prevent future breaches, Viado has also ordered an internal audit of all personnel handling high-risk deportation and detention cases. He’s dead set on wiping out “illicit deals and under-the-table transactions” that have plagued the bureau for years.

And if anyone still doubts his resolve? The BI chief, who’s only been in office for 157 days, has vowed even more changes ahead. With full cooperation from the Senate and law enforcement agencies, he’s making sure every guilty party faces the consequences—including potential criminal charges for those involved in the escape.

“This is a turning point for the Bureau,” Viado said. “We will expose, punish, and remove anyone who betrays the trust of this institution and the Filipino people.”

The message is loud and clear: the old ways won’t cut it anymore.