Italian chef in Baguio gets 'cooked' by Bureau of Immigration after allegedly working on tourist visa

Baguio City, Philippines – An Italian executive chef working at a Baguio City restaurant was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) after authorities allegedly found that he was employed in the country using only a tourist visa.

Under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, holders of temporary visitor's or tourist visas are prohibited from engaging in gainful employment. Foreign nationals found working without the appropriate visa may face deportation proceedings for violating the conditions of their stay in the Philippines.

According to a regional news outlet in a report published on July 14, BI intelligence operatives arrested 60-year-old Italian national Mario Angelai, who was allegedly working as executive chef at Mangiamo Ristorante in Baguio City. He is known for his signature Spaghetti Amalfi.

Before coming to the Philippines, Angelai reportedly owned an Italian restaurant in Ostia, Rome, and previously worked in Hong Kong, including at the Grand Hyatt.

In separate operations, immigration authorities also arrested 35-year-old Cameroonian national Henri Joel Atanga Betayene in Bohol and 53-year-old Turkish national Murat Fentci in Rizal for alleged violations of Philippine immigration laws.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reiterated that while the Philippines welcomes foreign nationals, they are expected to comply with the country's immigration regulations.

"Our message is clear: foreign nationals are welcome in the Philippines, but they must respect our immigration laws. Those who overstay, work without the proper visa, or violate the conditions of their stay will be apprehended and subjected to deportation proceedings," Viado said.

The Bureau of Immigration said the operations form part of its continuing efforts to enforce immigration laws and ensure that foreign nationals residing or working in the country comply with visa regulations.