4 Indian nationals illegally staying in PH nabbed in GenSan

MANILA, Philippines — Four Indian nationals illegally staying in the country were arrested in General Santos City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Sunday.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the Indian nationals were arrested in Purok Malakas, Barangay San Isidro, General Santos City in South Cotabato last December 3 following complaints from the community that there are illegal aliens engaged in a “5-6” scheme in the area.

BI intelligence officer Melody Gonzales said that 10 Indian nationals were found during the operation—but six of them were able to present valid visa.

The remaining four, meanwhile, presented expired and invalid visas and were detained at the BI immigration district office in Davao City pending deportation proceedings.

While the six Indian nationals who presented valid visas were recommended for release, the bureau still advised that they still undergo further investigation to verify if they are still working with the companies that petitioned their visas, Gonzales said.

The operation was conducted by operatives from the Mindanao intelligence task group (MITG) of BI’s intelligence division in coordination with the Philippine National Police.

“There will be no letup in our campaign against illegal aliens.  And we reiterate our appeal to the public not to hesitate in reporting the presence of illegal aliens in any part of the country, including the far flung areas of the country,” Morente said.

Edited by JE