Bicol Immigration Watch

05 February 2024

𝐁𝐈 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐋 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐍

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay—Bureau of Immigration (BI) intelligence agents arrested an overstaying South African man in Albay last January 24.

In a report to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, operatives of the BI’s regional intelligence operations unit detailed the arrest of Benjamin Michael Theron along Sikatuna Street, Brgy. 13 Ilawod West, Legazpi City, Albay in coordination with the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group-5 (PAF TOG-5), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-5 (NICA-5), Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NFSL), and local police forces.

Theron was the subject of a mission order issued by Tansingco after receiving a complaint from Theron’s former partner, saying that he was causing disturbance in the community.

Upon verification of Theron’s records, it was found out that he was already overstaying, having been in the country since 2018, with his visa expiring three years ago.

Another foreign national who presented himself as Theron’s employer, attempted to interfere with the operations but eventually yielded seeing the mission order against Theron.

BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. explained that any individual who conceal, harbor, employ, or give comfort to overstaying foreign nationals may face sanctions for violation of the Philippine immigration act of 1940, which prohibits harboring of illegal aliens.

Upon his arrest, Theron was brought to the BI’s office in Intramuros for booking procedures and is now held in the BI warden’s facility in Bicutan.

04 February 2024

𝐓𝐖𝐎-𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐃: 𝐎𝐅𝐖 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 ‘𝐃𝐎𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐄’ 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐀

PASAY, Philippines—An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was intercepted last January 25 after records show that another person already traveled using her identity.

In a report to Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco, members of the immigration protection and border enforcement section (I-Probes) said that alias Olive, 33, attempted to depart for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) as an OFW at the Ninoy Aquino International airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

Primary inspection officers saw that alias Olive have already a recorded departures as an OFW in 2015 and 2019, despite her being a first time traveler.

Careful scrutiny of her records reveal that another person, bearing the exact same identity details, have traveled before.

She shared that in 2014, she was recruited by an agent in Maguindanao, who changed her birth year to 1990 to comply with the then 23 year old age requirement for household service workers (HSWs).

She admitted to have paid P1,500 for her new birth certificate, but claimed that she was not able to push through with her application and has not heard from her recruiter since. She claimed to be the real owner of the name and details that were used before her.

The case was forwarded to the Inter-Agency Council Against trafficking who will initiate an investigation on the incident.

02 February 2024

𝐁𝐈 𝐎𝐏𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐀𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝟑 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

LIGAO CITY, Albay—Operatives from the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) intelligence division (ID) reported the arrest of three foreign residents in Ligao City, Albay last January 24 for violating the limitations and conditions of their respective visas.

BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. shared that the case originated from information received from the BI’s Legazpi District Office against Chinese nationals Li Xiaodong, Shi Jiazhu, and Shi Yushuang.

Record verification revealed that the individuals, initially undergoing biometrics for health reasons in Legazpi, were actually employed in different Metro Manila companies, a clear violation of their visa limitations.

The three were found by the intelligence agents to be working at a hardware and merchandise companies despite their visas.

"Our intelligence efforts, combined with effective operations, ensure that visa violators are identified and apprehended promptly. This operation underscores the importance of strict adherence to visa conditions," stated Manahan.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco commended the operation, emphasizing the BI's commitment to upholding immigration laws.

The BI Chief remarked, "The BI remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing immigration laws and ensuring that individuals comply with visa conditions. This operation is a testament to the effectiveness of our collaborative efforts."

The subjects were transported to the BI Main Office in Intramuros for proper booking procedures, medical examinations, and legal disposition. They will be placed in the BI’s facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig pending the resolution of their deportation case.

01 February 2024

𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐁𝐈 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐏𝐒

TABACO CITY, ALBAY—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) apprehended a Chinese national last January 24 for violating the conditions of his working visa.

The Chinese man, identified as Ding Xiaoqui, 42, was arrested pursuant to a mission order issued by BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco. The arrest was conducted in coordination with the BI’s regional intelligence operations unit (RIOU) 5 together with government intelligence operatives and the Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NFSL).

Commissioner Norman Tansingco commended the teams for their diligence and cooperation in executing the mission. He stated, "The BI is steadfast in upholding the integrity of our immigration laws. This successful operation sends a clear message that violations will be met with swift and decisive action."

The case originated from intelligence information indicating that Ding was operating a construction supply hardware store in Albay, despite holding a working visa sponsored by a company in Cubao.

The discrepancy, according to the BI, is a definite violation of the Philippine immigration laws.

Chief of BI Intelligence Division, Fortunato Manahan, Jr., emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring the enforcement of immigration regulations. "This operation showcases the effectiveness of interagency coordination. We appreciate the contributions of our counterparts in providing valuable intelligence for a seamless ex*****on," stated Manahan.

Ding was promptly transported to the BI Main Office in Intramuros, where he underwent necessary procedures, including medical and physical examinations. A Commitment Order was issued on 25 January 2024, and Ding was turned over to the BI’s facility in Bicutan, Taguig where he shall remain pending the resolution of his deportation case.

01 February 2024

𝟖𝟕 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

PASAY, Philippines—A total of 87 new immigration officers graduated in a ceremony on Tuesday in Pasay City.

The ceremony, held at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) theater, serves as the culminating activity of the training for Class 25 and 26 of immigration officers who took the Border Control Officers Module (BCOM) I in the BI’s academy in Clark, Pampanga.

Atty. Ronaldo P. Ledesma, Chief of the BI’s Board of Special Inquiry and Learning and Development Section served as the keynote speaker while Immigration officers Ana Lorraine Manalo and Marc Erico Ong delivered their valedictory address for their classes.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco highlighted the rigorous trainings that immigration officers undergo prior to deployment.

“These new immigration officers have been trained to serve following our core values of patriotism, integrity, and professionalism,” said Tansingco. “We trust that the new batches remain faithful to their duties as defenders of our borders,” he added.

Tansingco also reminded the new officers to ensure proper conduct at the frontlines, and said that he will not tolerate any report of inappropriate or unprofessional behavior.

The new immigration officers have been deployed to different frontline offices of the BI nationwide.

31 January 2024

𝐁𝐈 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐗𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒

PASAY, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday launched a campaign against s*xual predators.

In a ceremony held at the GSIS Theater in Pasay City, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco led the launching of the Project Campaign, which is a three-tier effort of the agency to combat the rise of s*xual predators. Joining him in the said event were Deputy Commissioners Joel Anthony Viado and Daniel Laogan.

Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Head Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty served as the event’s guest speaker. Also in attendance was Undersecretary Angelo M. Tapales of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Project endeavors to harmonize government efforts against s*x offenders in the country by institutionalizing a network of communication amongst government agencies involved in investigating and arresting pe*****les and traffickers.

The project also solidifies the BI’s drive against s*xual predators by prioritizing cases against foreign nationals that might be involved in s*x trafficking of children.

Lastly, as part of the campaign, the BI has opened up the Commissioner's helpline via Immigration PH 24/7 Helpline, encouraging concerned citizens to report potential cases of child exploitation and abuse involving foreign nationals.

Tansingco said that they saw the need for a more focused approach against child exploitation upon seeing the rise of attempts of registered s*x offenders to entering the country.

In 2023 alone, the BI excluded 171 foreign nationals who were previously convicted of s*x crimes, or are wanted for such cases.

The BI has likewise apprehended multiple pe*****les in Philippine soil. Notable among these arrests are cases such as the apprehension of French pe*****le Theddy Douglas Tissier in Makati just last December, and the successful capture of octogenarian pe*****le David John Buckley in Cebu last November.

“The threat against our children is real and is here. With the reopening of the country’s borders post-pandemic comes the rise of attempts of s*xual predators to enter the country,” said Tansingco. “We must protect those who rely on us for their safety,” he added.

Tansingco encouraged citizens to immediately report s*xual predators that might be in their communities to the BI.

“By protecting our children, we defend our future,” said Tansingco. “Let us all do our share in protecting the most vulnerable from these undesirable aliens,” he stated.

31 January 2024

𝐁𝐈 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝟖 𝐉𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐒

PASAY, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the deportation of eight Japanese nationals previously arrested for their involvement in scam operations.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that the eight were arrested last February 11, 2020 at a resort in Sitio Lilian, Famy Laguna by operatives of the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) through a joint operation with the National Bureau of Investigation Laguna District Office (NBI-LAGDO).

Found on the scene were numerous phones and scripts, which they use in duping their victims.

Reports allege that the eight were involved in a scam targeting Japanese nationals. Many of their victims, according to reports, are retired senior citizens. The syndicate was said to have scammed millions of Pesos in their scheme that have been operating for at least three years.

While authorities believe the eight are not connected to the Luffy gang, they were said to be operating a similar modus targeting the Japanese elderly.

The deportees boarded a Japan Airlines flight to Narita at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Tuesday.

Following their deportation, their names have been included in the BI’s blacklist, effectively barring them from re-entering the country.

29 January 2024

𝐁𝐈 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝟖𝟎-𝐘𝐑-𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐔𝐒 𝐏𝐄𝐃𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐀

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said its officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have turned away an American pe*****le who was banned from entering the country for reportedly s*xually abusing on several occasions a 16-year-old girl in Mindanao two years ago.

In a report to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, the BI’s immigration protection and border enforcement section (I-Probes) identified the passenger as 80-year-old Jerold Jay Whiting, who was denied entry at the NAIA 3 terminal last Jan. 25 upon his arrival aboard a United Airlines flight from Guam.

Tansingco described Whiting as a “heartless” after receiving reports that the latter s*xually molested and abused his minor victim several times.

He added that Whiting was said to have subjected his victim to online s*xual exploitation by recording videos of their s*xual activities, apparently for distribution to the public of the said pornographic materials.

“We cannot allow foreign s*x offenders like him to step in our territory for even a second as they pose a very serious threat to our women and children,” Tansingco said.

Records show that Whiting was intercepted by the BI after receiving reports that his victim (whose name was withheld) filed a complaint with the Iligan City police against a woman who allegedly pimped her to enter into s*xual relationship with the American.

The victim narrated that the woman introduced her to Whiting in September 2021 when she was still only 16-years-old and that she was induced to agree to sleep with the American as the latter would pay her large sums of money.

The victim, however, said her pimp asked and received from her a large share of commissions from the money that Whiting gave her.

She also recounted how Whiting injected liquids and substances into her body before their s*xual intercourses which were all captured on camera.

The s*xual abuses reportedly perpetrated against the victim allegedly occurred on several occasions in hotels in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Manila.

28 January 2024

𝐁𝐈 𝐊𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐄 𝐂𝐙𝐄𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓

A Czech tourist was denied entry by Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at the Clark International Airport (CIA) in Pampanga for rude behavior after protesting his being required to register in the Bureau’s eTravel system.

In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said 55-year-old Jaroslav Konsel was denied entry last Jan. 23 after arriving aboard a Cebu Pacific flight from Hongkong.

Tansingco said Konsel was turned away after the latter uttered expletives against the BI officers who asked him to first register in the eTravel online system before he could be admitted into the country.

Registration in the eTravel system is mandatory for all international passengers as it is an electronic travel declaration system which receives and stores information and data about all passengers who enter and exit the country.

It replaced the arrival and departure cards that international travelers used to fill out as it harmonizes all data on passengers into one digital platform for all government agencies collecting arriving data, thus providing a quick and seamless travel experience for the public.

The eTravel can be filled out 72 hours prior to arrival to the Philippines.

According to Tansingco, Konsel’s act of defiantly refusing to comply with eTravel requirement amounts to disrespecting the country’s laws and its persons of authority.

“Reports that he taunted and mocked the immigration officers who were politely explaining to him the eTravel requirement is enough ground for him to be excluded and banned from entering the country,” the BI chief stressed.

Airline and immigration employees were said to have attempted to assist him in filling out the form, which he all angrily rejected.

An order placing the Kornel in the BI blacklist of undesirable aliens was already issued by Tansingco.

BI-CIA officials reported that Konsel immediately became rude and started mouthing foul language when he was told by the BI officer to first fill out the e-travel form online.

He allegedly continued to behave in an outraged manner even as he was filling out the eTravel form and even refused to listen or follow instructions from people who were assisting him in the eTravel counter.

When he returned to the BI counter, Kornel continued to complain and furiously slammed the front desk of the BI officer, thus causing further commotion in the airport.

27 January 2024

𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝟐𝟒% -𝐁𝐈

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recorded a 23.6% increase in its revenues from tourist visa extensions.

BI tourist visa section chief Raymond Remigio reported that the BI recorded a total revenue of PhP 1,426,076,164 for 2023, a major increase from the past year.

Remigio said that this could be attributed to the revived interest in international travel following the pandemic.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that the data reflects the BI’s efforts to make compliance with regulations easier by opening new offices and setting up their online services for the convenience of the transacting public.

“We are one with the Department of Tourism in their campaign to reinvigorate international travel and tourism in the country,” said Tansingco. “Faster and easier immigration service is our contribution to the national government’s efforts,” he added.

In 2022, the BI recorded PhP 1,153,748,535.50 revenues for tourist visa extensions.

Visa-free nationals are given an initial stay of 30 days, which they could extend in any of the BI’s offices nationwide or via the BI’s online platform at e-services.immigration.gov.ph.

26 January 2024

𝐁𝐈 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

MANILA, Philippines—Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that they are planning to open up more new offices in key areas of the Philippines in 2024.

The BI Chief shared that in 2023, BI transferred many of its operations to malls and other areas that are more accessible to the public.

The BI’s offices in Cebu, Surigao, Las Pinas, Olongapo, and Nueva Ecija have transferred to bigger locations, while their Camiguin Field Office started its operations at the Provincial Capitol Building in Pandan Mambajao.

The BI’s physical annual report in Metro Manila has also been transferred from the BI’s head office to the 3rd Level Center Atrium of Robinsons Manila and the Government Service Express (GSE) Unit of SM Mall of Asia from Mondays to Fridays, excluding holidays, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Tansingco said that they are eyeing new offices in Siargao, Pagadian, Sorsogon, Davao del Sur, and other popular tourist destinations as well as the transfer of more offices to better locations.

“We are particularly looking at transferring many of our operations to malls, to make things more convenient for the transacting public,” said Tansingco. “We want to give quality and comfortable public service,” he added.

Apart from opening new offices, the BI shared that many of its services, including visa extensions are now available online.

“We are bringing our services closer to the general public to facilitate compliance with immigration policies,” he stated. “With these developments, there will no more excuse not to comply with immigration requirements,” he said. #