On July 4th, the Philippines Bureau of Immigration announced that the "Foreign Nationals Detention Center" (BI Warden Facility, abbreviated as BIWF) located within the Montinlupa National Penitentiary compound is now officially operational. This center is specifically designed for detaining foreign suspects undergoing deportation procedures, becoming a new tool for the government to combat illegal POGO, telecommunications fraud, and transnational crimes.
The newly established BIWF initially has a capacity of 450 people, with potential expansion up to 700. The facility was constructed with the assistance of the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Corrections, primarily for detaining foreigners involved in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), cyber fraud, and human trafficking.
During the inauguration ceremony, Immigration Commissioner Joel Antonio Viado stated that the establishment of the new detention area is a critical point in the government's push to advance deportation efforts. He emphasized that foreign nationals involved in cases will no longer be mixed in general detention but will be specifically housed here to enhance law enforcement efficiency and reduce management risks.
Viado thanked Justice Minister Remulla and the Director of the Bureau of Corrections, Katapang, for their assistance, stating that the BIWF will provide safer and more humane detention conditions, implementing the President's strategy to strengthen national security and border control.
The inauguration ceremony featured key handover, ribbon-cutting, and unveiling of a commemorative wall, attended by several high-ranking law enforcement officials. The Bureau of Immigration also reiterated its commitment to continuous cooperation with various government units to crack down on criminals exploiting the POGO system, preventing the Philippines from becoming a haven for transnational crimes.
