A CHINESE and an Indian were arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on separate occasions although both for possession of fake travel documents.
Both were immediately arrested and detained at the BI’s facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig pending their eventual deportation.
BI officers first arrested on Sunday afternoon a Chinese national found to be in possession a fake Philippine visa in his passport.
A report from BI Border Control Investigation Unit (BCIU) Chief Dennis Alcedo said that Zhang Yang, 30, was nabbed as he attempted to depart via a Philippine Airlines flight for Bangkok, Thailand at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.
During immigration inspection, the officers discovered that Zhang’s name has previously been included in the BI’s blacklist for violation of the conditions of his stay.
Upon further inspection, the officers noted a doubtful Philippine visa in his passport, which was confirmed as counterfeit by the BI’s forensic documents laboratory.
Alcedo said the BCIU then intercepted Malkeet Singh, 42, on Monday morning at the NAIA Terminal 1 after arriving aboard a Scoot Airline flight from Singapore.
BI officers noticed a previous Philippine arrival stamp impressed in his passport, but noticed inconsistencies in its features. Tertiary inspection in the BI’s forensic laboratory also confirmed that the stamp is counterfeit.
Meanwhile, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco lauded the efforts of BI agents who intercepted Zhang and Singh.
“We commend our alert personnel who were able to foil their attempt. We will ensure that upon deportation, they will not be able to return to the country,” said Tansingco.
