2 Chinese nationals arrested in Benguet – BI

MANILA, Philippines — Two foreign nationals were apprehended in a raid by local authorities at a residence in Benguet on Saturday, according to Bureau of Immigration (BI) Spokesperson Dana Sandoval.

The operation was conducted inside a residence in Barangay Poblacion in Tuba.

“Information came from PAOCC with additional data from immigration. So, we acted on a mission order issued by Commissioner Norman Tansingco after ma-receive po natin ‘yung initial information from PAOCC,” Sandoval told INQUIRER.net over the phone, noting that the arrested individuals were one male and one female.

“Nakikita natin na ‘yung isa po hindi nakapagpresenta ng any kind of immigration document, so siya po ay tinuturing natin na undocumented alien. Samantalang ‘yung isa po while mayroon daw siyang working visa—which has to be verified pa sa ating system—maaari po siyang humarap na kaso na harboring illegal alien,” she added.

(One of the arrested was unable to present any kind of immigration document and isconsidered an undocumented alien. Meanwhile, the other person, while claiming to have a working visa—which still needs to be verified in our system—may face charges of harboring an illegal alien.)

In a report on Sunday, the BI identified the two foreigners as Wang Keping, 35, and Khuon Moeurn, 37.

The operation against them stemmed from PAOCC’s information about a Chinese woman they were looking for in relation to their recent raid in Bamban, Tarlac, prompting BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco to issue a mission order to arrest her.

“However, upon arrival at the site, the target was nowhere to be found but two other foreign nationals were seen in the vicinity.  After verification, it was found that Moeurn, an alleged Cambodian national, was an undocumented and overstaying alien after being unable to present his documentation,” BI said.

“Both foreigners were arrested and will be brought to Manila for booking procedures. Physical custody of the duo will remain with the PAOCC while undergoing deportation proceedings,” it added.