BI verifying documents of arrested 276 foreigners in Makati

February 20, 2019

The 276 foreign nationals arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday are undergoing procedures to verify their documents.

An immigration personnel told The Daily Manila Shimbun in a phone interview Wednesday that the arrested foreigners are temporarily held in the main office in Intramuros.

He said they cannot give a breakdown of the nationalities of the arrested foreigners. He added that he doesn't know long it will take for the bureau to check their documents. 

In a statement on Tuesday, Immigration Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said: "most (of the arrested foreigners) were undocumented, and were unable to present any proof showing their status here during the arrest."

"[I]f proven to be working here without proper visa, (the foreigners) may be charged for deportation," he added.

On Monday, the foreigners were arrested at a raid in a network technology company along Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Manahan said the arrest was made to verify the foreigners' travel documents and immigration status.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement they received reports of foreigners illegally working in the building without required immigration visas or permits.

An immigration personnel said in the same phone interview the reports were  likely sent around a week ago.

"Our operatives immediately conducted a surveillance to verify the report," Morente said. Once they confirmed the presence of these aliens in the building, a Mission Order to conduct the operations was immediately issued,” he added.  Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS