By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently apprehended an undocumented and overstaying foreigner in Makati City.
In a news release on Wednesday, Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said Khasta Rahman, 42, a Pakistani national, was arrested at a convenience store along Antonio Arnaiz Avenue, Barangay San Lorenzo on March 27.
Upon verification, he was found to have overstayed and lacked proper documentation.
The foreigner failed to present his passport when asked by immigration authorities, resulting in his apprehension.
Manahan said the operation was part of BI’s continuous efforts to track down foreign nationals violating Philippine immigration laws and in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to uphold immigration laws.
“We remain vigilant in monitoring and apprehending those who abuse their stay in the country. Our intelligence teams work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure swift action,” Manahan said.
Rahman was informed of his constitutional rights before being transported to the BI Main Office for documentation, medical clearance, and legal proceedings. A commitment order was later issued and he was admitted to the BI warden facility the same evening.
The operation was initiated following intelligence information from an anonymous complainant.
The Pakistani is facing deportation and eventual blacklisting.
New trend in scam hubs
Meanwhile, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Filipino trafficking victims repatriated from Myawaddy, Myanmar revealed a new trend in scam hub operations.
He said one of the victims recounted how the scam hubs are now targeting Filipino migrants in the United States.
Scammers deceive unsuspecting victims by persuading them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency accounts, often promising high returns with little to no risk.
They employ various tactics, including contacting Filipino-Americans via social media messages to lure investors.
Once the victims transfer their money, the scammers may manipulate account balances to show fake profits, convincing them to invest even more. Eventually, the fraudsters disappear with the funds, leaving the victims unable to withdraw their supposed earnings.
“We wish to send this warning to our kababayans abroad not to fall prey to this new modus. The IACAT (Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking) is working to ensure that those who continue to victimize Filipinos face the harshest penalties of the law,” the BI chief added. (PNA)
