BI to deport 21 Russians and Koreans for overstaying, other charges

(Editors note: Reposting this story which was originally published on January 19, 2018 to correct the headline.)

The government has ordered the deportation of 21 overstaying Russian and Korean nationals, who were suspected of engaging in prostitution in a nightclub in Pampanga province.

In a statement on Friday, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente said the Russian women were found to be working as guest relations officers in Club Angel in Clark Field, Angeles City without the required employment visas.

According to Morente, the Russian women charged customers an hourly rate of P1,500 for their services. The Russians were arrested during a raid by BI intelligence operatives on Wednesday night.

Moreover, Morente said two Koreans, who allegedly recruited and employed the Russian women, were also apprehended during the raid.

The Koreans were identified as Jeong Seonghun, 30, and Lee Kyurak, 30. They supposedly work as the club’s cashier and manager, respectively.

“They will all be deported for working without visas and for other immigration offenses,” Morente said.

In the same statement, BI intelligence officer Jude Hinolan said the two Koreans were overstaying aliens who arrived in the Philippines several months ago and did not bother to extend their tourist visas.

Hinolan also said that the Russian women also arrived in the country as tourists, and that nine of them were also overstaying in the country.

“We have recommended that charges for violating the anti-trafficking persons in act be filed against the two Koreans as they were the ones who supposedly facilitated the entry of these women into the country,” Hinolan said.

All 21 foreigners were later brought to the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City where they would be held pending the deportation proceedings against them.                 /kga