Dismissed Bureau of Immigration (BI) chief Norman Tansingco. File photo

MANILA —  Outgoing Bureau of Immigration (BI) chief Norman Tansingco on Wednesday said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. who fired him earlier this week over the escape of ex-mayor Alice Guo.

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"Allow me then to express my gratitude to [President] Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. for the opportunity to serve under his administration. The past two years have been filled with optimism, challenges and determination," he said in a statement.

Tansingco said his focus during his time at the BI was to "control the borders at the international ports of entry and exit, and prevent Filipinos from being trafficked abroad, among others."

Tansingco was dismissed as immigration chief Monday, just days after Guo's arrest in Indonesia and subsequent deportation to Manila.  He said he only learned about his firing from media reports. 

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It was Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla who asked for the dismissal of Tansingco, who he accused of "not doing anything" about the alleged issuance of working visas to "fake" corporations that led to the entry of illegal gambling workers into the country.

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Remulla also slammed Tansingco for not immediately sharing to him the report that Guo had escaped the country before it came out to the public.

Despite their supposed rift, Tansingco "acknowledged" Remulla's office for their "support."

"I wish to acknowledge the support of the BI Board of Commissioners, and Offices of the DOJ Secretary and DOJ Supervising Undersecretary, as we crafted and implemented those reforms," he said.

• Joel Anthony Viado named immigration bureau’s caretaker after Tansingco exit

The Department of Justice on Tuesday designated Joel Anthony Viado as officer-in-charge of the BI.

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