Only in DR!
I had several similar experiences while coming home for vacation, always out of Santo Domingo airport. The first summer I returned to Canada for vacation the immigration officer told me that he would "make me a consideration" if I only gave him 500 pesos, while I stood staring at a sign that said to make all payments at some desk on the other side of the airport! He was conveniently going on his coffee break and told me he would meet me at my gate. So, he stamped my papers, I walked through the doors and he met me at my gate as promised. I gave him the 500 pesos, he visited with me until my plane arrived and I've "flown" through customs every time since! In fact, the last time I left I was 4 months pregnant and the same guy carried my bags to the gate for me! He even made sure that I got to the front of the line and didn't go through the metal detectors (something that had not even crossed my mind before!)! I will always look for my new "friend" and have a few small bills when leaving SDQ! Why not give my money to some poor underpaid guy rather than the government!