INTERCEPTED. Philippine law enforcement authorities intercept 15 undocumented foreigners in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi on Sunday (Sept. 1, 2024). The Bureau of Immigration on Monday (Sept. 2) said the foreigners include eight Chinese nationals and seven Malaysians (Photo courtesy of BI)
MANILA – Authorities arrested 15 undocumented foreigners in the country's southernmost province of Tawi-Tawi.
In a news release on Monday, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said eight Chinese nationals and seven Malaysians were apprehended by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Navy and Philippine Army off Sitangkai town on Sunday.
They were found to have entered Philippine territory onboard two speedboats, Tansingco said.
“Early morning today, we received information from the patrolling agencies that those arrested have been transported to Bongao for processing,” the BI chief added.
Initial verification through the BI’s centralized database confirmed that the intercepted individuals were illegal entrants as no record entries were found.
Once deported, the 15 foreigners will be blacklisted and barred from entering the country again. (PNA)
