BI nabs British resort owner in Palawan for alleged overstaying

INQUIRER file photo / ALEXIS CORPUZ

MANILA, Philippines — A British national, who owns and operates a resort in Palawan, was arrested in Coron on Thursday for allegedly overstaying, said the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

BI said 61-year-old Paul Stuart Leggot was collared in a bar along Governor’s Drive in Dongapan.

“Apart from overstaying, Leggot was allegedly found to have been engaging in gainful employment without the necessary work permit,” BI said in a statement.

The agency cited the British national’s records, which showed that he has been in the Philippines since 2014 and put up a resort despite the absence of necessary visas and other documents to operate a business in Coron.

Leggot will be flown to Manila for proper booking and inquest proceedings before he is turned over to the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco then warned foreigners who are law offenders “not to abuse the hospitality of the country” when they come here in the Philippines.

“Aliens who refuse to comply with our laws take away opportunities from Filipinos and do not submit appropriate taxes to the government,” he added. — With reports from Aliah Gumasing, INQUIRER.net trainee

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JPV