JUSTICE SECRETARY Menardo I. Guevarra directed the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to terminate the contracts of its eight job order workers allegedly involved in the extortion of P9.2 million from 15 Koreans. “Upon review of the terms of engagement of the job order contractors and the evidence adduced against them, the Justice Secretary found that factual and legal bases exist for the immediate termination of their contracts,” Department of Justice Spokesperson and Undersecretary Markk L. Perete said in a statement. In a text message, the undersecretary explained that job order contractors are employed to work for temporary projects. “Under Civil Service Rules, they are not employees of the government and their engagement is governed by contracts entered into with the agency they serve.” The Korean nationals filed a complaint last month against 18 BI officers and employees who arrested them last March 6 in Angeles City, Pampanga. Meanwhile, Mr. Guevarra has placed under a 90-day preventive suspension 10 BI officers and employees who were part of the group that arrested the overstaying Koreans and allegedly extorted money from them. “The ten BI officers and employees are now subject to proceedings to determine their administrative liability for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” Mr. Perete said. He also noted that a parallel investigation is being conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation to determine possible criminal liability. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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