Immigration officer accused of mauling Zamboanga social worker

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / October 14, 2009) – A Filipino immigration official is being accused of manhandling a social worker following an altercation in Zamboanga City.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said it would file charges against the immigration officer after one of its worker, Erwin Aguila, was hit in the head with a gun during an inspection of a boat carrying deportees from Malaysia.

The incident occurred on Saturday at the Zamboanga port. “We will definitely file charges against the immigration officer,” said Zenaida Arevalo, the DSWD assistant regional director.

Television pictures on Wednesday showed the bloodied Aguila being led away from the commotion by other social workers. The report said the Bureau of Immigration in Zamboanga City did not release the name of its officer involved in the attack.

Usodan Salahim, the BID regional director, said they are investigating the incident. (Mindanao Examiner)