BI detains British national arrested for assaulting other foreigners, extortion allegations

A British national allegedly involved in gang activities, extortion, and drug-related crimes was taken into custody by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente on Friday said Darren Mark Wall, 44, will be detained at the BI holding facility in Taguig City while the proceedings of his deportation case remain pending.

Due to his marriage to a Filipina, Wall holds a permanent resident visa. The agency, however, clarified that he can still be deported if proven to be an undesirable alien. 

Last month, members of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group arrested Wall and his wife after he allegedly attacked foreigners in three separate nightclubs in Makati City. Authorities said his modus operandi was to first intimidate foreign nationals before extorting money.

"Wall was said to have violated the gun ban, disobeyed persons of authority, possessed dangerous drugs, and threatened several individuals," the BI said.

Morente reminded foreigners living in the country to "comply with the laws of the land," saying a permanent resident visa is not a "free pass" to disregard Philippine laws.

“They are still expected to be on their best behavior, and to comply with the laws of the land. Otherwise, they may be arrested, deported, and banned from returning to the Philippines,” he said. —VBL, GMA News