Immigration agents have arrested a Pakistani and an Indian national in Mindanao who were both facing deportation for overstaying and illegally working in the Philippines.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the duo as—Rafshad Cherikkal Phutiyapurayil, 33, an Indian national; and Zain Ul Abideen, 25, a Pakistani.
Morente said operatives from the BI intelligence division arrested the two aliens during separate operations conducted in Zamboanga City and Basilan.
“They will undergo deportation proceedings for overstaying, being undocumented and violating the conditions of their stay in the country,” the BI chief said, adding that the two foreigners will be blacklisted afterwards and banned from re-entering the Philippines.
According to BI intelligence chief Fortunato Manahan Jr., the two aliens were subject of complaints from residents in their workplace who reported their presence and illegal activities without the required permits and visas.
Manahan said both Phutiyapuravil and Abideen were found to have arrived in the country years ago, but did not bother to apply for extension of their stay.
It was reported that except for a driver’s license, Phutiyapuravil could not present his passport which he claimed was in a friend’s possession.
As for Abideen, Manahan said the Pakistani admitted that his passport already expired in 2020 and that he never applied for any visa or extended stay.
“We also received intelligence reports that he (Abideen) is allegedly engaged in smuggling of goods from Malaysia, money-lending and selling of plastic wares in Isabela City (Basilan),” Manahan added.
The BI gathered that the military has also tagged the Pakistani as a “suspicious personality” as he has been spotted frequenting known havens of the Abu Sayaf terror group.
The two aliens will remain at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City while undergoing deportation proceedings.