BI nabs overstaying American in Cebu

FILE PHOTO: The Bureau of Immigration in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER.net photo / ED LUSTAN

MANILA, Philippines — An American national was arrested in Cebu after repeated complaints from neighbors and barangay officials led to the discovery that he has been overstaying in the country.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente said Tuesday that 67-year-old Sunny Miller was arrested in Barangay Punta, San Remigio municipality by operatives of the BI Intelligence Division over the weekend.

According to Morente, he issued the mission order for Miller’s arrest after receiving complaints from barangay officials who accused him of “causing trouble, and committing acts that disturbed the peace and threatened the lives of residents in the community.”

“The complainants also alleged that he has been engaging in gainful business activities without the appropriate permit and visa in blatant violation of our immigration laws,” Morente added in the statement.

Immigration prosecutors then slapped Miller with deportation prior to the issuance of an order for his deportation by the BI board of commissioners.

Meanwhile, BI Intelligence Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said in the same statement that BI records prove that Miller’s stay in the country had already lapsed, making him an overstaying alien who may be subjected to summary deportation.

He bared that complainants accused Miller of harassment and intimidation, and that he allegedly occupied a land in the coastal area of the village, depriving fisherfolk from using the property to fish.

Manahal also reported that barangay officials in Punta had already passed a resolution declaring him persona non grata for acts that are contrary to morals, good customs and public policy.

The American is currently detained at the BI’s holding facility in Cebu undergoing deportation proceedings.

RELATED STORIES

PNP heightens alert in Metro Manila after recent Mindanao bombings

8 hurt in Maguindanao grenade explosions