Philippine Immigration Bureau Conducts Surprise Raid in Northern Luzon, Arrests 5 Including Korean Restaurant Owner in Angeles City
- Simultaneous raids in 4 key locations: Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, and Subic
- Two Korean nationals, aged 40-50, caught operating restaurants without visas or permits in Angeles City
- Bureau of Immigration Commissioner: "Zero tolerance for illegal operations and overstaying; all will be deported"
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the Philippines has launched a crackdown on undocumented and illegally employed foreigners who have been operating discreetly in Northern Luzon.
Acting on intelligence reports, the BI's Intelligence Division conducted simultaneous raids on July 30th and 31st across four key hubs in Northern Luzon: Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Zambales (Subic), and Pampanga (Angeles City). The operation resulted in the apprehension of five foreign nationals, as officially announced.
■ Angeles City, a hub for Korean expatriates, raided… "Running restaurants directly without legal visas"
The most significant impact was felt in Angeles City, Pampanga, a popular area for Korean businesses.
BI operatives arrested two Korean men (Mr. Jin, 51, and Mr. Oh, 49) on-site while they were working at a local restaurant. Investigations revealed that they were directly managing and operating the establishment without the proper Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), nor any valid commercial visa. They were also unable to present any legal documentation proving their right to stay to the enforcement officers at the time of the raid.
■ From illegal lending to overstaying… Arrests made regardless of nationality
The net of enforcement extended seamlessly to other regions.
Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija: An Indian national was apprehended for engaging in illegal high-interest lending (known as '5-6' loan sharking) targeting local merchants, without any valid documentation for his stay.
Balagtas, Bulacan: Another Indian national was caught for long-term illegal overstaying, having lost or failed to present his passport and all his visa documents.
Subic, Zambales: A Chinese national, who had been in hiding after his visa expired long ago, was apprehended.
■ "Blacklisted and permanently banned from entry"… Expatriate community in 'tension'
The five arrested foreigners were immediately transported to the BI detention facility in Taguig, Manila, where they underwent fingerprinting and thorough background checks. All are currently undergoing deportation proceedings. If a deportation order is issued, they will be blacklisted and permanently barred from entering the Philippines.
A BI official stated, "Engaging in illegal profit-making activities or overstaying without a valid visa, business, or work permit is a clear violation of our sovereignty and immigration laws. We will continue to maintain nationwide enforcement operations, not just in Northern Luzon."
News of the raid on the Angeles City restaurants has sent ripples of concern throughout the expatriate and foreign communities, particularly among those involved in self-employment or corporate affairs without proper visa procedures.
