A Malaysian national who allegedly entered the Philippines illegally was arrested while trying to exit the country at the international seaport in Zamboanga City.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, that its inspectors arrested the 32-year-old foreigner while the latter was trying to board a vessel bound for Sandakan, Malaysia.

BI said the Malaysian national was not allowed to leave after authorities found out that his name is on the list of blacklisted aliens.

Investigation also disclosed that he was not allowed to enter the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on December 9, 2023 for being a blacklisted alien.

BI said that the foreigner was included in the blacklist on December 27, 2022 for working illegally for an online gaming hub with a canceled license to operate.

BI officers also found that his passport did not have an immigration arrival stamp.

He is detained at the BI facility in Taguig City in Manila, as of this writing. Deportation proceedings have commenced.