DAVAO CITY (February 20) —Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced the arrest of 276 foreign nationals in a massive raid of a network technology company along Ayala Avenue in Makati City.
In a statement, Morente said they received reports that there are foreign nationals working in the building without the required immigration visas or permits.
Morente disclosed “Our operatives immediately conducted a surveillance to verify the report,” said Morente. “Once they confirmed the presence of these aliens in the building, a Mission Order to conduct the operations was immediately issued.
Immigration Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. revealed that the 276 were arrested for verification of their travel documents and immigration status. He described the subjects to be mostly engaged in online gaming business.
“Most were undocumented, and were unable to present any proof showing their status here during the arrest,” said Manahan. He likewise mentioned that the aliens, “if proven to be working here without the proper visa, may be charged for deportation”.
Morente commended the Intelligence Division for the series of arrests of illegal aliens in the country. “Our Intel has been working nonstop to catch foreigners who make a mockery of our laws,” said Morente. “I commend them for their efforts, as they are crucial in protecting our country from illegal aliens,” he added.
He further warned that this is only the beginning of more operations against foreigners working without permits. “We are serious about our drive against illegal aliens, and are focusing our energies on arresting those working without the proper documentation, stealing jobs from Filipinos,” the BI Chief said.
In 2018, the BI’s Intelligence Division arrested a total of 533 foreign nationals, mostly found to be working without permit. Said number is 326% greater than those apprehended in 2017. Morente said that he “expects more arrests to follow” in the next few months.
The case has been forwarded to the BI’s Legal Division for verification and filing of appropriate charges, while the aliens have been temporarily detained at the BI’s Warden Facility in Taguig pending deportation proceedings.-NewsLine
