MANILA – Four immigration officers assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were relieved from their posts after allegedly helping several workers posing as tourists depart for countries that are deemed high-risk for Filipino laborers.

Airport investigators said Nino Oliver Dato, Xander Mark Galera, Kyle Velasco, and Alperson Peralta processed the departure of the passengers, who had tourist visas, without making them undergo routine immigration profiling.

Travel control enforcement officers intercepted the passengers resulting in the discovery of the immigration officers’ modus operandi, said Red Marinas, the Bureau of Immigration's Port Operations Division Head.

The passengers were bound for Libya, Lebanon, and South Korea, which are considered high-risk countries for workers posing as tourists, said Marinas.

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Libya and Lebanon are conflict zones, where there are ongoing wars, while the South Korean government has cracked down on undocumented foreigners due to their increasing numbers.

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Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered the four erring officers to report to the Immigration Board of Discipline, and be relieved of their duties.

The Board of Discipline, Marinas said, has the power of final recommendation regarding disciplinary measures, such as whether the erring officers will be dismissed.