ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has apprehended three Pakistani nationals in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, amid allegations of their connections with a local terrorist group.
On October 3, Pakistani national Faizan Muhammad, also known as Faizan Khan, aged 34, was taken into custody in Purok Durian, Barangay Pinig Libano. His arrest was made on the grounds of violating his stay conditions and being an undocumented alien.
Faizan Muhammad, along with another individual named Ali Wahab, had been the subject of a complaint filed by a Filipina who accused them of failing to settle a merchandise debt that had been pending for nearly a year. The complaint also raised concerns about Muhammad’s expired travel document and his overstay in the country since 2015.
Allegedly, the duo had harassed the complainant’s family and made threats, claiming support from a terrorist organization.
Following the confirmation of their immigration status, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco promptly issued a mission order for the arrest of Faizan Muhammad. During the apprehension, Muhammad could not produce a passport and presented a Philippine National ID despite being a foreign national.
His purported accomplice, Ali Wahab, aged 36, was subsequently located and apprehended in Barangay Banago, Balabagan, Lanao del Sur, along with another Pakistani individual identified as Ajmal Ali, aged 35. Both were found to be overstaying and lacking proper documentation. Ali Wahab had also been reported as a supplier of materials to a local extremist group in Central Mindanao.
Ali Wahab had a Philippine driver’s license indicating his nationality as Filipino, although he, too, was unable to furnish valid travel documents.
The trio is now in custody and faces charges for violating the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.
