BI warns against travel agencies engaged in illegal operations

INQUIRER file photo / ALEXIS CORPUZ

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday warned the public not to transact with travel agencies and law firms that promise to secure the release of individuals working for Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo).

This comes after authorities arrested two individuals working for a travel agency that facilitated Philippine government documents for foreign nationals, charging fees not less than a million pesos.

Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc) Executive Director Gilberto Cruz identified the suspects as Rosalie Bermas Bolaños and Jaive Espolong Nobleta of JRB Travel and Consultancy Services Inc., a travel and visa consultancy firm based in Intramuros, Manila.

Aside from illegally processing government identification documents for foreign nationals, the suspects also posed as Paocc personnel.

In a press briefing on Thursday, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval clarified that the agency does not offer services that cost millions.

“We don’t have services that cost P1.1 million. All services provided by the BI come with an official receipt,” she said in Filipino.

She urged the public to check the BI website for a list of service fees.

“You can check the immigration website for the fees of each service,” she added.

Sandoval likewise warned the public of “red flags” in transacting with travel agencies and law firms claiming BI accreditation.

“These false promises [of releasing individuals working for Pogos] should be a red flag. If an agency does not provide receipts and makes grand promises, you should be suspicious,” she said.

She encouraged people to directly visit any BI office to ensure legitimate transactions.

“You can go straight to any Bureau of Immigration office. We have over 60 offices nationwide where you can inquire directly,” Sandoval stressed.

The BI website also lists accredited agencies and law firms in good standing, she added.

“If an agency isn’t on the list, don’t transact with them. They’re essentially fixers charging you large sums while making false promises,” she added.

READ: Pogo probe missing link? Travel agency eyed in fake documents scheme

Sandoval revealed that Bolaños and JRB Travel and Consultancy Services Inc. had been blacklisted since April 30, 2024, due to their involvement in illegal transactions.

“They’re blacklisted by the Bureau of Immigration for illegal practices, such as submitting spurious documents,” the BI spokesperson said.

She added that Bolaños previously had BI accreditation, but it was canceled in April 2024, and she was banned from transacting with the agency.

“We can see here that what she’s doing — transacting with or offering services to foreign nationals — is clearly fixing. She is not authorized and cannot transact with the Bureau of Immigration because she is banned,” Sandoval said.

Meanwhile, the suspects were put in the custody of the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. They will face multiple criminal charges, including robbery-extortion, usurpation of authority, estafa, and grave coercion.