Immigration reorganizes, beefs up Interpol unit

To strengthen its efforts in going after foreign fugitives hiding in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration has reorganized and beefed up its Interpol unit under the agency’s intelligence division. In a statement Tuesday, the bureau named Bernardo Cruzata as the new Interpol unit head. He replaced lawyer Floro Balato Jr., now the immigration supervisor at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The Interpol unit will remain under the direct supervision of lawyer Maria Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang, the bureau’s acting intelligence chief. Six more intelligence operatives were assigned with the Interpol unit to “augment its manpower and operational strength," the bureau said. “We will continue [our] fight against fugitives who are wanted for drug trafficking, rape, and murder," the bureau said, attributing the statement to its commissioner, Ricardo David Jr. David said the Interpol unit will also intensify its manhunt operations for some international organized crime syndicates. The official pointed out that the Interpol unit will establish linkages and coordination with other local and foreign law enforcement agencies. The bureau’s Interpol unit has received various commendations and citations from various embassies and foreign-based law enforcement agencies, according to the statement. — With Jesse Edep/VS, GMA News