3 Pakistani nationals to be deported for illegally working in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is now preparing for the deportation proceedings of three Pakistani nationals working without proper permits and visas in Mindanao, BI Chief Jaime Morente said Monday.

The Pakistani nationals were identified as Zada Rahim, Ali Sajid, and Muhammad Salim. All three of them are now under the custody of the agency and detained at the Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

Morente said that he issued the arrest warrant after being informed that the Pakistanis were employed as cashier and helpers in two branches of Buner Appliances Store in Mindanao.

Report showed that both Zada and Ali were arrested last July 8 inside their workplace in Zamboanga City, while Muhammad was arrested last July 10 also inside the store in Isabela City, Basilan.

It was also learned that the three Pakistanis were found in the same store where a fellow Pakistani named Waqar Ahmad was also arrested by BI agents last June 13.

Ahmad was earlier tagged as a possible member of the Dawah Islamiyah Group allegedly behind terror attacks in Basilan.

READ: Suspected Pakistani terrorist nabbed in Zamboanga City

BI intelligence officer Melody Gonzales said it was Ahmad who tipped off the authorities about other Pakistanis working in the appliance store.

“We caught them in flagrante working when we arrived at the location.  We later confirmed that they are only here as tourists and do not have the appropriate visas to work in the country,” Gonzales said, referring to the three Pakistanis arrested.

The three Pakistanis will be placed on the immigration blacklist to prevent them from entering the country again. /je