By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Twenty-seven foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, were recently arrested in separate operations in Davao de Oro, Pasay City and Pampanga, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Thursday.
According to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, the operations conducted from April 22 to May 8 targeted foreign nationals allegedly involved in illegal mining, unauthorized retail trade and other immigration violations.
“Foreign nationals who abuse the privilege of staying in the Philippines by engaging in illegal business, environmental destruction, and other unlawful activities will be arrested and deported,” he said.
“These operations show that the BI remains relentless in protecting national security and ensuring that our immigration laws are strictly enforced,” the BI chief added.
The largest operation was conducted on April 22 in Pantukan, Davao de Oro and Tagum City, Davao del Norte where BI operatives from the Regional Intelligence Operations Unit (RIOU)-Mindanao and Intelligence Division Main, with assistance from military intelligence teams, arrested 20 Chinese nationals at an alleged illegal mining site and warehouse.
Of the 20, authorities said 16 Chinese nationals were apprehended at a mining site in Barangay Napnapan, while four were arrested at a nearby warehouse and loading site in Barangay Apokon.
The foreigners were allegedly found working without appropriate visas and were further tagged as undesirable aliens after authorities discovered numerous explosive components, including ammonium nitrate, dynamites, blasting caps, and detonators.
Operatives also recovered dried seahorses, which are considered protected wildlife species under Philippine environmental laws.
Meanwhile, BI intelligence agents arrested six foreign nationals on May 7 during an operation at a mall in Baclaran, Pasay City for allegedly violating the conditions of their stay and engaging in retail trade activities.
Arrested were four Chinese nationals and two Bangladeshi nationals.
According to BI intelligence operatives, the foreigners were found working at various stalls inside the mall, allegedly holding visas inconsistent with their actual activities in the country.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Southern Police District.
In a separate operation on May 8, BI agents from RIOU-3 arrested a 66-year-old Pakistani national identified as Ahmed Mushtaq at a residence in a subdivision in Barangay Tabun, Mabalacat City, Pampanga.
Authorities said the foreigner failed to present any passport or immigration documents and admitted being the subject of a BI mission order. He was subsequently arrested for overstaying and being undocumented.
The BI said the arrested foreigners now face charges for violations of Philippine immigration laws and will remain in their custody during the deportation proceedings. (PNA)
