Immigration arrests American resort owner who had no work permit

April 30, 2018

Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents arrested an American resort owner in Boracay, Aklan for working without permit a day before the government temporarily closed one of the Philippines' top tourist destinations.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said 52-year-old Randall Lee Parker was caught on April 25 by the bureau’s intelligence operatives inside  The Artienda at Station Two, formerly known as Crown Beach Hotel in Boracay.

Morente said he issued a mission order for Parker’s arrest after a complaint was filed with the BI about  in running the resort without work permit or visa.

“He will undergo deportation proceedings for illegally working in the country,” the BI chief said, adding that the Labor Code and the Immigration Act forbids aliens from engaging in gainful activity unless they obtain a work permit from the labor department and employment visa from the BI.

Morente said Parker has been in the Philippines as a tourist for almost two years and by engaging in gainful work he violated the conditions of his stay as a temporary visitor.

Antonette Bucasas- Mangrobang, BI spokesperson, said travel records showed Parker arrived on April 16, 2016 and has not departed since. DMS