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Manila: Authorities at all the international airports have stopped processing visa extension requests from foreign visitors after immigration personnel allegedly pocketed fees collected from applicants.
"Any request for extension of tourist visa filed at any international airport of entry and exit shall immediately be forwarded to the visa extension section of the Bureau of Immigration's main office or concerned sub-port or field office for appropriate action," an order issued by Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said.
According to Libanan, he ordered the processing of visa extension requests be conducted only at the Bureau of Immigrations head office in Manila after several applicants complained that certain immigration personnel assigned at the airports have pocket the visa extension fees collected from them instead of remitting them to the government.
"We should ensure that these visa extension fees are remitted to our treasury," Libanan said.
According to the guidelines issued by the immigrations department, foreign visitors are required to update their visas if they plan to exceed the number of days they plan to stay in the country.
"However, we have been getting reports that some of our immigration officers have been taking advantage of the passengers by charging them lower fees and diverting the money for themselves," immigration bureau spokesman Floro Balato said.
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