4 overstaying aliens working in Ifugao arrested, now face deportation

Four foreign nationals are facing deportation following their arrests in Ifugao province by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for violating immigration laws.

The latest arrest was first made public through the agency’s press release over the weekend.

In a statement, the BI said its agents from the Regional Intelligence Operations Unit (RIOU) – Cordillera and RIOU-2 arrested four Chinese nationals in Lagawe, Ifugao in their joint operation with other law enforcement agencies on April 28.

The 53-year-old Yang Yongxiang was arrested at the Ibulao Hydro Power Plant for overstaying his visa and working without required permit. His Chinese companions, namely Yuan Tonghua and Zeng Jiakuan, were also taken into custody for failing to present valid passports and other immigration documents.

The three were said to have been working as engineers and supervisors in the facility despite not having appropriate legal documents.

A follow-up operation in the same town that same day resulted in the arrest of 30-year-old Gan Yiyun, also a Chinese national and the wife of one of the three apprehended aliens. She was held for unauthorized employment and misrepresentation.

Further, she failed to report her change of residence, violating the country’s registration laws and the Philippine Immigration Act. Her visa indicated employment in Manila, but she has been residing and working in Ifugao since last year, the bureau added.

Other aliens apprehended for overstaying

In a separate operation in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, authorities arrested on April 25 a 34-year-old Nigerian national named Emmanuel Emeka Ndukwe.  He was found to be undocumented and holding an expired passport.

Following their preliminary investigation, the five foreigners were temporarily detained in Taguig City pending deportation proceedings.

“The Philippines is not a haven for undocumented and abusive foreign nationals. Those who disrespect our laws and overstay without proper documentation will be arrested, deported, and blacklisted,” underscored BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.