BI arrests more than 200 aliens in Makati raid

February 19, 2019

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced the arrest of 276 foreigners in a raid of a network technology company along Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

According to Morente, the BI received reports of foreigners working in the building without the required immigration visas or permits.

“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,” he added.

BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. said 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 mentioned that the aliens, “if proven to be working here without the proper visa, may be charged for deportation”.

Morente warned 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,” he said.

In 2018, the BI’s Intelligence Division arrested a total of 533 foreign nationals, mostly found to be working without permit. The number is 326 percent more  than those apprehended in 2017.

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. DMS