By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – A joint enforcement operation between the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested 49 foreign nationals at a commercial building in Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City according to a report on Saturday.
The foreigners were arrested Friday after the BI received information that they were working for a fraudulent online scam hub operating under the guise of a legitimate digital services and online marketing company, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said in a news release.
The operation was carried out following a mission order, after the BI-NBI verification process.
The arrested individuals were found working without appropriate visas, with two identified as having active derogatory records.
Among those arrested was a 29-year-old Bangladeshi male under a watchlist order for alleged involvement in illegal recruitment activities and a 25-year-old Pakistani male under an alert list order due to suspected financial fraud.
After booking and documentation procedures, the arrested individuals would undergo deportation proceedings and subsequent blacklisting.
“This successful operation is a testament to the strong collaboration between the BI and the NBI. We remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding the country from illegal foreign operations that undermine our laws and exploit our people,” Viado said.
The move was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s firm stance against illegal activities and cybercrimes.
Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are banned in the country due to increased crime rates.
“Our government will not tolerate any form of exploitation or fraudulent activity that harms our people and our economy,” Viado said. (PNA)
