THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday has issued a resolution sacking from the service 18 Bureau of Immigration personnel assigned at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) implicated last year by whistleblower Rachel Ong for involvement in various human trafficking and other irregularities at the DMIA.

In a resolution, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered the dismissal of Heranio B. Manalo, Rey Alfred Y. Hernandez, Robin S. Pinzon, Romeo F. Dannug, Jose G. Melendrez, Adonis V. Fontanilla, Ramon B. Lapid, Evelyn O. Marinduque, Misael M. Tayag, Gaile Frances B. de Guzman-Sanglay, Jacqueline F. Miranda, Arlene Mendoza, James G. Guevarra, Sheryll P. Manguerra, Ramonsito G. Nuqui, Luisito Mercado, Leo Lugtu, and Dante Aquino for grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, dishonesty and gross neglect of duty.

“After a careful evaluation of the arguments raised by both parties, this Department finds that there exists substantial evidence to support the complaint of Ms. Ong considering that the defenses presented by respondents are general denials, bereft of any compelling reasons to disregard the positive testimony of the witness, the ruling says.”

De Lima declared that the dismissal of the 18 immigration employees should serve as a fair warning to all, that the government is serious about its anti-trafficking campaign and violators will be meted with the full weight of the law.

“We cannot and will not tolerate the presence of corrupt elements within our ranks who jeopardize our efforts in the war against human trafficking, and graft and corruption,” she explained.

The DOJ boss gave credence in the testimony of Rachel Ong, also an immigration employee who turned state witness, about her first-hand knowledge and participation in the facilitation of illegal transactions at the said airport.

According to Ong, the 18 “were engaged in facilitating illegal transactions, by allowing passengers to enter and exit the country without E6 visas and other related travel documents, including those against whom ‘Hold Departure Orders’ and ‘Watch List Orders’ have been issued.”

Ong also alleged that “even without the requisite overseas employment contract, respondents allowed Filipinos to leave the country to work abroad.”

“They also allowed female tourists from China and Korea to enter the country to work as entertainers, without the requisite documents,” Ong added.