THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) arrested 276 foreign nationals in a raid on a network technology company along Ayala Avenue in Makati City on Feb. 18.
BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said the bureau started its surveillance of the company following reports on foreign nationals working there without the required immigration visas or permits.
For his part, BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato S. Manahan, Jr. said the 276 foreigners were mostly engaged in online gambling and were arrested for verification of their immigration status and travel documents.
“Most were undocumented and were unable to present any proof showing their status here during the arrest,” Mr. Manahan said, adding that “if proven to be working here without the proper visa, (they) may be charged for deportation.”
Mr. Morente said, “We are serious about our drive against illegal aliens, and are focusing our energies on arresting those working without the proper documentation, stealing jobs from Filipinos.”
The Intelligence Division in 2018 arrested a total of 533 foreign nationals, mostly found working without permit, which is 326% more than those arrested in 2017.
Mr. Morente said he “expects more arrests to follow” in the next months. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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