The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has called on the public, including the netizens, to help the agency in tracking down foreigners illegally staying in the country.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco made the call as he ordered Immigration intelligence chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. to intensify the search for unregistered foreign nationals hiding in the provinces.
“Social media is a powerful tool, and it can be used to receive valuable information and help us rid the country of foreign nationals abusing our hospitality,” said Tansingco.
The BI chief stepped up the search campaign following the arrest of an Indian national and five Chinese in separate operations conducted by BI intelligence operatives last month.
Indian national Harpreet Singh, 34, who was collared at his residence in Agoo, La Union has been overstaying in the country for more than four years.
The five undocumented Chinese nationals were caught inside a warehouse in Binan, Laguna working without proper visas.
Tansingco said individuals and other interested parties willing to assist the agency in looking for illegal aliens may avail of the Immigration Helpline PH 24/7, a direct line to his office and can be accessed via Facebook at https://www.face.com/immigration.helpline.ph