BI Arrests Overstaying Cameroonian, Turkish, and Italian Nationals

BI Arrests Overstaying Cameroonian, Turkish, and Italian Nationals

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | July 13, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – In a nationwide operation, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has apprehended Cameroonian, Turkish, and Italian nationals for serious immigration violations, underscoring President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen border security and uphold national sovereignty. This decisive action reaffirms the Philippines’ commitment to enforcing its immigration laws with unwavering resolve.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the high-profile arrests as:

• Henri Joel Atanga Betayene, 35, a Cameroonian national.
• Murat Fentci, 53, a Turkish national.
• Mario Angelai, 60, an Italian national.

The strategic multi-location crackdown, executed on July 1 and 2, involved precision operations by the BI Intelligence Division and its Regional Intelligence Operations Units. Enforcement actions spanned key areas, including Cainta, Rizal; Sagbayan, Bohol; and Baguio City.

Betayene was apprehended in a Cainta subdivision following meticulous intelligence gathering that confirmed his prolonged overstay in the Philippines.

Fentci was taken into custody in Barangay Canmaya Diot, Sagbayan, Bohol, after verification revealed his unlawful presence beyond his permitted period of stay.

In Baguio City, Angelai was intercepted while working as a chef at a local restaurant. This arrest followed extensive surveillance confirming his active employment without the necessary work visa or permit, a clear breach of immigration regulations.

“Our message is clear: while foreign nationals are welcome, respect for Philippine immigration laws is non-negotiable,” declared Commissioner Viado. “Individuals who overstay, engage in unauthorized employment, or violate visa conditions will face immediate apprehension and deportation. We are intensifying intelligence-driven operations nationwide to safeguard the integrity of our immigration system.”

Commissioner Viado praised the BI’s Intelligence Division and its regional operatives for their relentless enforcement efforts extending beyond the capital. He highlighted these arrests as proof of the BI’s enhanced intelligence capabilities and robust coordination with local law enforcement, ensuring that immigration violators are detected and apprehended, regardless of their location.

All three foreign nationals are now in BI custody, undergoing booking and documentation. They face imminent deportation proceedings for serious violations of the Philippine Immigration Act, serving as a warning to others considering similar transgressions.

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