Bureau of Immigration (BI) – Page 7

Chinese nationals arrested by immigration officials for visa violations

February 9, 2024February 9, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the province, agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested three Chinese nationals for visa-related violations, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday reported the recent arrest of three foreigners in Ligao City, Albay for visa violations.

In a statement, BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the case originated from the information from the Bureau’s Legazpi District Office against Chinese nationals Li Xiaodong, Shi Jiazhu, and Shi Yushuang, who were arrested last Jan. 24 for violating the limitations and conditions of their visas.

Verification of their records revealed that the foreigners, who initially underwent biometrics scanning for health reasons, were actually employed in different Metro Manila companies, which is clear violation of their visa limitations.

The foreigners were found by the intelligence agents to be working at a hardware and merchandise companies despite their visas.

“Our intelligence efforts, combined with effective operations, ensure that visa violators are identified and apprehended promptly. This operation underscores the importance of strict adherence to visa conditions,” Manahan said.

The three were transported to the BI Main Office in Intramuros in Manila for proper booking procedures, medical examinations, and legal disposition.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be even more Chinese nationals here in the Philippines engaging in illegal activities? Are happy that immigration officials arrested the foreigners for violating their visa limitations and conditions?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Bureau of Immigration (BI) launches campaign against foreign sexual predators

February 8, 2024February 2, 2024carlocarrasco

Having rejected several foreigners (who were registered sex offenders or RFOs) from entering the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently launched a new campaign against sexual predators from overseas, according to a Journal Online news report. There is simply no stopping with their duty to protect the nation from undesirable foreigners.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Journal Online news report. Some parts in boldface…

NOTING the recent increase in attempts of aliens who are registered sex offenders (RSOs) to enter the country, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco launched a campaign against sexual predators.

Seeing the need for a more focused approach against child exploitation, Tansingco said that in 2023 alone, the BI excluded 171 foreign nationals who were previously convicted of sex crimes or are wanted for such cases.

He said that the BI also apprehended multiple pedophiles in Philippine soil, among them French national Theddy Douglas Tissier who was apprehended in Makati just last December and the successful capture of octogenarian pedophile David John Buckley in Cebu last November.

“The threat against our children is real and is here. With the reopening of the country’s borders post-pandemic comes the rise of attempts of sexual predators to enter the country. We must protect those who rely on us for their safety,” the BI chief said.

Tansingco also encouraged citizens to immediately report to the BI sexual predators that might be in their communities, adding tehat “by protecting our children, we defend our future. Let us all do our share in protecting the most vulnerable from these undesirable aliens.”

In a ceremony held at the GSIS Theater in Pasay City, the BI led the launching of the Project #ShieldKids Campaign, which is a three-tier effort of the agency to combat the rise of sexual predators. Joining Tansingco in the said event were Deputy Commissioners Joel Anthony Viado and Daniel Laogan.

Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Head Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty served as the event’s guest speaker. Also in attendance was Undersecretary Angelo M. Tapales of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Project #Shieldkids endeavors to harmonize government efforts against sex offenders in the country by institutionalizing a network of communication amongst government agencies involved in investigating and arresting pedophiles and traffickers.

The project also solidifies the BI’s drive against sexual predators by prioritizing cases against foreign nationals that might be involved in sex trafficking of children.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the BI should do more to not only prevent undesirable foreigners from entering the country but also apprehending and deporting the foreign sexual predators who are already in the country?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Czech traveler denied entry in the Philippines due to rude behavior towards immigration officials and others

February 5, 2024February 8, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently the immigration officials revealed that citizen of the Czech Republic who arrived at the international airport in Clark, Pampanga, was denied entry as a result of bad behavior and disrespect with regards to registering with the eTravel system online, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Being rude can get you the boot. This is just what happened to Czech tourist Jaroslav Konsel, 55, when he arrived at the Clark International Airport (CIA) in Pampanga last Jan. 3.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said immigration officers denied the Czech tourist’s entry into the country for uttering expletives when he was asked to register with the eTravel system online.

“Reports that he taunted and mocked the immigration officers who were politely explaining to him the eTravel requirement is enough ground for him to be excluded and banned from entering the country,” Tansingco said.

He pointed out that Konsel showed disrespect to the country’s laws and persons of authority in refusing to comply with the requirement to fill out the eTravel.

“Registration in the eTravel system is mandatory for all international passengers as it is an electronic travel declaration system which receives and stores information and data about all passengers who enter and exit the country,” the BI said.

Citing reports from BI officials at the CIA, the bureau said that airline and immigration employees attempted to assist Konsel in filling out the form but he angrily rejected.

“BI-CIA officials reported that Konsel immediately became rude and started mouthing foul language when he was told by the BI officer to first fill out the e-travel form online,” it said.

“He allegedly continued to behave in an outraged manner even as he was filling out the eTravel form and even refused to listen or follow instructions from people who were assisting him in the eTravel counter,” it also said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the immigration officers did the right thing by denying the Czech visitor entry into the country in response to his rude behavior? Do you think the reported incident could cause a new diplomatic problem between the Philippines and the Czech Republic?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Two foreign sex offenders prevented from entering the Philippines

January 8, 2024January 3, 2024carlocarrasco

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced recently that they prevented two sex offenders from the United States from entering the country in separate times at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Both foreigners were respectively convicted of varied offences in the past.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Two convicted American sex offenders have been barred from entering the Philippines when they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) separately on Dec. 27 and Jan. 1.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) identified them as Paul Neal Coltharp, 46, and Zachary Tyler Thompson, 39.

“Both aliens have been immediately excluded and flown back to their port of origin and their names have been included in the BI’s blacklist of undesirable aliens,” the bureau said.

As registered sex offenders (RSOs), the bureau explained “both Thompson and Coltharp are excludable aliens under the Immigration Act which forbids the entry of aliens convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude.”

It said that Thompson, who arrived from Los Angeles, had been “convicted in 2013 and 2015 for possessing obscene materials depicting a minor in sexual conduct and for annoying or molesting a child under 18 years of age.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there still will be more registered sex offenders from overseas who will do what they can to visit the Philippines? Do you think the BI has what it takes to prevent undesirable aliens from entering as well as preventing the rise of sex tourism?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Departing Indonesian arrested at airport, gets charged for overstaying, working without a permit and cyber crime

December 29, 2023December 26, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), an Indonesian man who previously worked for a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Las Piñas City was intercepted and arrested by law enforcement agents before he could leave the country, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The suspect has been charged for overstaying in the country, for working without a permit and for cyber crime.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

An Indonesian national who worked for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility that was raided by law enforcement agents mid this year was apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Dec. 21 before he could board his flight to Singapore.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) identified the arrested foreigner as Angga Pratama, 24, who used to work with Xinchuang Network Technology, Inc. (XNT) in Las Pinas City.

Angga has been charged with overstaying in the Philippines and working without a permit. He was also charged with cybercime while employed at XNT, BI said.

XNT was raided by agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) last June 27 for alleged human trafficking and cybercrime.

The PNP rescued from the facility around 2,700 persons including Filipinos and foreigners who were believed (to) be human trafficking victims.

Following the raid, the PNP filed before the DOJ charges against five foreigners who were involved in the operations of the illegal POGO, namely, Li Jiacheng, Xiao Liu, Yan Jiayong, Duan Haozhuan and LP Hongkun.

“The BI remains vigilant in its efforts to safeguard our borders against individuals involved in illegal activities,” Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement issued on Sunday, Dec. 24.

“We are committed to ensuring the security and integrity of our nation’s borders,” he said.

During inspection at the NAIA, Angga’s name was found included in a derogatory hitlist of the BI.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that there are still lots of foreigners who committed crime here in the Philippines who are trying to leave without getting caught? Do you think POGOs are hot spots of cyber crime and other illegal activities?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Bureau of Immigration (BI) prevents two foreign sex offenders from entering the country

December 19, 2023December 12, 2023carlocarrasco

Two foreign sex offenders who arrived from Taipei by airplane were prevented from entering the country by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) which has a database of undesirable aliens, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Two Americans with criminal records for sexually abusing minors in the United States and the country were recently barred from entering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City.

In a statement Tuesday, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the passengers were identified as Keith Michael Lacek, 63, who was intercepted on Dec. 5, and Peter Maehler de Leon Guerrero, 54, who was turned away on Dec. 2.

Both foreigners arrived at the NAIA Terminal 1 aboard Air China and Eva Air flights from Taipei. They were immediately sent back to their country of origin.

“We had to remove them out immediately after they arrived at the airport. They are undesirable aliens who pose a very serious threat to our children,” Tansingco said in a statement. “Consequently, they are perpetually banned from re-entering the Philippines.”

He noted that Lacek was excluded after his name prompted a hit in the bureau’s derogatory base, indicating that he was banned from entering the country for his involvement in sex tourism.

The BI blacklisted Lacek in June 2020 after the bureau received information from the Office of Cybercrime of the Department of Justice that he was reportedly involved in the online enticement and sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism.

Lacek allegedly enticed a Filipina to produce and send indecent photographs of children and to engage in sexual activity with a minor in exchange for money.

On the other hand, Guerrero is a registered sex offender in the US due to his record of conviction as a child rapist.

For the newcomers reading this, the BI has been working hard to not only protect the nation from undesirable foreigners but also to prevent the potential rise of sex tourism in the entire Philippines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that the BI will be able to detect and reject incoming sex offenders from overseas?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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The pending resurgence of sex tourism in the Philippines is a major concern for the BI

December 6, 2023December 4, 2023carlocarrasco

While the Philippines continues to attract more tourists from around the world (read the related post), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is concerned about the pending resurgence of sex tourism in the country, according to a Manila Times news report. Already there have been reports of sex offenders from abroad who were intercepted by the local authorities.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Times report. Some parts in boldface…

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has expressed alarm over the likely resurgence of sex tourism in the country as indicated by the frequent arrival and interception of foreign sex offenders (FSO) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other major ports of entry.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said on Sunday that entry attempts by sex offenders into the country have become almost a “daily trend” and are not limited to the national capital Manila, but are also in provincial airports such as Cebu.

Tansingco also said that some unscrupulous groups or individuals could be promoting sex tourism, the practice of traveling to foreign countries with the intention of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for money.

“We will not allow that to happen. We are duty-bound to implement a provision in our immigration act that prohibits the entry of aliens convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude. We will not allow the entry of these undesirable aliens to pose a threat to our women and children,” Tansingco said.

He attributed the possible resurgence of sex tourism to the reopening of the country’s border after the pandemic.

“During the pandemic, there was an increase in online exploitation of women and children. When international travel resumed, the number of FSOs rose, which could show that the exploitation is being continued,” he said. “With the return of tourism, foreigners who intend to abuse our hospitality seem to be returning.”

“We warn these predators not to attempt to enter the country, as we have close coordination with different governments, who provide us information about sex offenders that might attempt to enter the Philippines,” he said.

Under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, those who have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, which includes sex offenders, are ineligible to enter the country.

The Philippines is regarded as among the top 10 sex tourism destinations in the world. Others on the list are Germany, the Netherlands, Columbia, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Spain, Kenya and Brazil.

Just over the weekend, BI frontline officers intercepted two more FSOs, identified as Mark David Scanlon and Richard Stuard Patterson, both Americans convicted of sexually molesting minors in the US. They arrived via separate flights at the international airports in Cebu and Manila.

Scanlon, 53, was intercepted after arriving aboard an Eva Air flight from Taiwan at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), while Patterson, 33, was turned back upon arriving from Los Angeles via a Philippine Airlines flight at the NAIA 1 terminal.

Both passengers were sent back to their ports of origin hours after they were denied entry.

Information obtained by the BI revealed that in 2012, a court in Cook County, Illinois, convicted Scanlon on the charge of indecently soliciting a child over the internet.

On the other hand, Patterson was convicted in Oregon in May 2011 on the charges of sexual abuse in the second degree and sodomy in the third degree, where the victims were 15 and 13 years old, respectively.

Scanlon and Patterson are only two of the more than 150 foreign registered sex offenders (RSOs) who have been refused entry at the airports since January.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Do you consider sex-related tourism a major issue for the Philippines’ standing in international tourism? Do you think that there are lots of suspected business joints within your city that could secretly be engaging in prostitution, pornography and human trafficking? What do you think should be done to prevent sex tourism from growing in the Philippines? Do you think that illegal sex-related activities involving foreigners here in the Philippines (for insight, click here, here, and here) are somehow attracting foreign sex offenders to come into the country?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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DOJ Secretary emphasizes coordination among government agencies when it comes to tackling illegal POGOs, makes another reference to Las Piñas City raid

July 18, 2023July 16, 2023carlocarrasco

The recent raid in Las Piñas City was referred to once more as Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla emphasized that coordination between agencies of the government when it comes to tackling Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) believed to be illegal, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. This is not the first time the Secretary made a reference to the Las Piñas raid. Already there were foreign fugitives uncovered in the same raid.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Government agencies must exert concerted efforts to ensure that illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) are discontinued, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday.

Remulla underscored the need to scrutinize the rules on regulatory compliance following recent raids conducted on boiler room operations staffed by thousands of local and foreign workers in Pampanga and Las Piñas City.

“A lot of sensitive legal salient points have to be threshed out and this involves the agencies of the DOJ (Department of Justice) coordinating with every other office in the government that will help out in the efforts to weed out illegal POGOs,” Remulla said during a press conference.

The coordination will include the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Foreign Affairs, and the police, according to Remulla.

“We will thresh out these issues so that we will not be pointing at each other. We will be working as a team for the government,” he said.

Remulla said they will also seek guidance from the Supreme Court so that the procedures necessary to carry out their mandates to stamp out illegal POGOs will be done properly.

“So ang ginawa namin tiningnan namin lahat ng (we are exploring every) weak points from the experience that we have. We are making sure that the weaknesses of the cases in the past will no longer be there,” he added.

Remulla said the BI will continue to enforce the rules against illegal aliens or offenses involving foreigners.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think the POGO raid in the city was not handled properly by the local authorities?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Foreign fugitives among those rescued during the June 26 Las Piñas City raid

July 6, 2023July 5, 2023carlocarrasco

In the city of Las Piñas, controversy regarding the raid of June 26 continues to grow as it was revealed by the local authorities that there were foreign fugitives among the thousands that supposedly got rescued, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Police found two Taiwanese fugitives among the rescued workers from the raid in a Las Piñas City establishment recently, the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) said Monday.

Aside from them, the PNP earlier reported that four Chinese fugitives were also discovered from the thousands of workers rescued from the raid.

“During the June 26, 2023 police operation, where thousands of individuals were rescued, four Chinese and two Taiwanese fugitives were discovered,” the ACG said in a statement.

The ACG said the six fugitives have been identified through the help of concerned foreign embassies in the documentation of their respective citizens and cross-matching of their records.

Authorities implemented a search warrant in a compound in Las Piñas over an alleged human trafficking situation.

The police reported that 1,534 Filipinos and 1,190 foreigners were rescued from the raid. According to PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, there were 17 foreign nationalities involved.

While over a thousand Filipino workers were safely released and allowed to return to their homes, the foreign nationals have not been released yet as the documentation of the remaining workers is still ongoing, according to Fajardo.

“Law enforcement authorities have gathered personal information for the remaining one thousand-plus foreign nationals, who will be turned over to the Bureau of Immigration for proper disposition and repatriation process,” the ACG said.

On June 30, five Chinese suspects were subjected to inquest proceedings at the Department of Justice in Manila for violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 and Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Meanwhile, the company that was raided, Xinchuang Network Technology, has denied that it is involved in human trafficking.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think the police raid of June 26 has been justified?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Two wanted foreigners connected in Luffy case arrested in BF Homes, Parañaque

March 14, 2023March 13, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, two wanted foreigners allegedly connected with the Japanese burglary gang leader Yuki “Luffy” Watanabe were arrested by law enforcers in BF Homes according to a news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Two more suspects connected with Japanese burglary ring leader Yuki “Luffy” Watanabe were arrested in Parañaque City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Saturday.

Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the Japanese nationals as Fujita Kairi, 24, and Kumai Hitomi, 25, who were apprehended in BF Homes by operatives of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit on Friday afternoon.

The two have standing warrants of arrest for theft issued by the Tokyo Summary Court in September 2022. They are detained at the BI facility in Taguig City pending their deportation.

“This is a major breakthrough in the case, as we have finally arrested more suspects involved in this major case in Japan,” Tansingco said in a statement. “They will finally be facing their crimes in their homeland.”

Watanabe and accomplice Tomonobu Saito were deported on Feb. 8, the day after fellow fugitives Toshiya Fujita and Kiyoto Imamura, both 38, were sent home.

The above report ended stating that the gang was involved in at least twenty robberies that happened in Japan in the past twelve months, as well ass the murder and robbery of a 90-year-old person in the city of Komae.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a Parañaque City resident, are you convinced that there could be more wanted criminals from abroad who could be hiding within your local community right now? If you have been following the developments about the Luffy case, do you know where exactly in BF Homes did the arrests happen?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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