Blacklisted foreigners arrested in Tawi-Tawi —BI

Four Indian men who were already blacklisted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and a Malaysian national were arrested in Tawi-Tawi, the agency announced Tuesday.

The BI said it recommended the five be charged for illegal entry, in violation of Section 37(a)(1) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.

According to the BI, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) members reported monitoring the four men aboard a vessel. They also identified a Malaysian man who was allegedly traveling with his Filipina girlfriend.

During the interview, the BI found that the Indian nationals have no Immigration stamps on their passports while the Malaysian national was unable to present his passport.

Authorities later found that the four Indian nationals have been blacklisted from the country.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian national was suspected of being involved in trafficking.

“Our close coordination with government agencies who monitor the country’s vast shorelines is necessary in protecting the Philippines against illegal entrants,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.  

“The partnership between the PCG and the BI is crucial in stopping the attempts of these illegal aliens,” he added. —Joahna Lei Casilao/KG, GMA Integrated News