By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently arrested an American tourist for undesirable behavior and a Japanese criminal gang member in separate operations.
In a news release on Friday, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said operatives of the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) arrested Evan Ronald Berlin, 31, at his residence along Zobel Street, Poblacion, Makati City on March 14.
Viado issued a mission order authorizing the FSU operatives to arrest the foreigner after a deportation complaint was filed against him for being an undesirable alien.
The case stemmed from allegations that Berlin beat the complainant inside a five-star hotel in Parañaque City on March 9. The victim lost consciousness and sustained injuries from the incident.
The altercation occurred when the complainant confronted the foreigner for sexually assaulting his wife.
“He will undergo deportation proceedings for overstaying and undesirability. Foreigners who violate our immigration laws and harm people do not deserve the privilege to stay in our country,” Viado added.
A warrant for Berlin’s arrest was issued by a Makati court on Sept. 13 last year due to a case for physical injury and violation of the Safe Space Act that was filed against him.
The foreign national last arrived in the country on March 5, 2023 as a temporary visitor. His latest application for an extension of stay expired on July 2023, thus, he was already overstaying when arrested.
Meanwhile, the BI arrested on March 15 another Japanese fugitive suspected of being a member of the notorious Luffy fraud syndicate in Pampanga province.
The Japanese was identified as 35-year-old Odaira Kai, who was arrested in his condominium unit along Jose Abad Santos Avenue, San Fernando City.
He was arrested by the FSU on the strength of a mission order that he issued at the request of the Japanese government, which reported his presence in the country.
Japanese authorities alleged that Kai and his accomplices stole ATM cards by impersonating law enforcers to deceive an aging victim into surrendering his bank cards under the pretext of police investigation.
More than 4 million yen in cash, equivalent to about USD27,000, was reportedly stolen from the victim through unauthorized withdrawals using the stolen cards.
Both are now detained at the BI custodial facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending the conduct of deportation proceedings. (PNA)
