By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently arrested five foreigners during an intelligence operation in Pasay City.
In a news release Wednesday, the BI said among those arrested was a 51-year-old Chinese national who was found to be overstaying and allegedly working in the country without the proper visa.
Also taken into custody were a Malaysian national, a Taiwanese national, a South Korean national and another Chinese national after authorities uncovered violations ranging from unauthorized employment to overstaying and working for entities other than their declared visa sponsors.
The operation was conducted at a casino at the Newport City area, where BI intelligence officers discovered several foreigners allegedly engaged in activities inconsistent with their immigration status on May 5.
It added that the operation was launched after receiving intelligence information regarding possible immigration violations being committed within the establishment. Coordination was made with local police authorities prior to the implementation of the operation.
All five foreign nationals were transferred to the Bureau of Immigration Warden Facility in Taguig City for documentation and the filing of appropriate immigration charges.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stressed that the Bureau remains aggressive in pursuing foreigners who misuse Philippine visas and work permits.
“Our message is clear: foreign nationals who violate the conditions of their stay will be apprehended and removed from the country. Operations like this will continue nationwide,” Viado said. (PNA)
