Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingo affirms that their arrests were legitimate, following complaints that the 16 Indian nationals were conducting an illegal money lending business in Visayas known as 5-6.
Thirteen Immigration officers who carried out the arrests were charged with complaints by the Indian nationals at the National Prosecution Service in Pasay City. The Indian nationals claim they hold valid 9 (g) working visas and have not violated any laws.
However, according to information gathered by the BI, these individuals were participating in the 5-6 loan scheme, an illegal business. Moreover, they had received a letter from the Antique Provincial Board stating that cases involving Indian nationals allegedly linked to kidnapping and the sale of illegal drugs in their province had increased.
In Iloilo, Tansingo stated that they had received reports of Indian nationals involved in acts of violence there.
Ten Indian nationals were arrested in the towns of Arevalo and Savana, Iloilo, while another six were apprehended in San Jose, Antique.
Tansingo further noted that, although these foreigners held valid 9 (g) visas, it was found that the Indian nationals were not actually working for the petitioning companies. Instead, they were employed by fraudulent businesses or engaging in activities contrary to Philippine law.
As a result, these Indian nationals will be deported and blacklisted from the country.
While Tansingo insists that the arrests of the Indian nationals were legal, he stated they will conduct a separate investigation into allegations of extortion by the arresting Immigration personnel.
"We will investigate this complaint and ensure that if found to be guilty, erring employees will face the harshest penalty of law," Tansingo said.
"We encourage local government units to continue reporting to us illegal aliens that might be involved in illicit activities in your respective areas. We have our regional intelligence units intent on locating, arresting, and deporting these illegal aliens," Tansingo concluded.
(Photo from the Bureau of Immigration)
