BI Cracks Down on Illegal Foreign Workers: Three Pakistani Nationals Arrested

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado

BI Cracks Down on Illegal Foreign Workers: Three Pakistani Nationals Arrested

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | March 30, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI), acting on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen border control, has apprehended three Pakistani nationals in General Santos City for overstaying and illegal employment.

The arrests, part of a broader government initiative to protect local labor and uphold immigration laws, underscore the Philippines’ firm stance against foreign nationals exploiting its immigration system.

The operation, executed on March 17 by the BI Intelligence Division–Mindanao Intelligence Task Group (MITG) in collaboration with the Philippine Army and General Santos City Police, led to the arrest of Arslan Ali, 30, and Suleman Ali, 28, at a surplus vehicle display center in Barangay Sinawal. Both were actively involved in business operations without the requisite work visas.

Investigations revealed that Arslan Ali had overstayed his visa by nearly five years and faces an existing deportation case. Suleman Ali was found to be on a tourist visa, an inappropriate status for employment.

A third individual, Mudassar Miraj, was also taken in for verification despite claiming a pending extension for his 9(g) work visa, which records showed expired in February 2026.

All arrested individuals face charges under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 for overstaying and engaging in gainful employment without proper authorization.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado issued a stern warning: “The Bureau will not tolerate abuse of our immigration system. Foreign nationals who choose to stay and work in the Philippines must strictly comply with our laws. Those who deliberately violate the terms of their stay will be arrested, detained, and deported. This is a clear message that we are serious about protecting our borders, our labor market, and the integrity of our immigration processes.”