Undesirable aliens, beware

Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo said yesterday more arrests are forthcoming as part of the sustained crackdown against undocumented aliens suspected of having links with international and local terrorists in the country.

Domingo, who was at Camp Crame as guest of honor at the Philippine National Police (PNP) flagraising ceremony, also announced that immigration agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport intercepted and deported a suspected Palestinian suicide bomber while trying to slip into the country last week.

In coordination with the PNP Task Force Sanglahi, Domingo said, the Bureau of Immigration will be issuing more mission orders against foreigners with suspected terror links.

"More arrest will come in the days head. We are working closely with the PNP-Task Force Sanglahi against these foreign personalities," Domingo said.

Since the launching of joint BI-PNP crackdown more than a week ago, five foreigners with terrorist links have been deported.

Apart from the five, 11 more Iraqis and Saudi nationals, detained at the PNP detention cell at Camp Crame, are now undergoing deportation proceedings following their arrest.

Domingo stressed that preventive detention against the Iraqis was legal in the wake of protests by human rights groups.

Several Iraqis earlier claimed they were refugees, insisting they have documents from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to prove that their stay here is sanctioned by the world body.

Domingo explained that they are undergoing deportation proceedings "because they violated immigration laws." 

"Hindi naman kami mga bobo na manghuhuli ng mga walang kasalanan," Domingo said as she stressed that the ongoing crackdown on undocumented aliens, is in the best interest of the country.

Domingo disclosed that BI and PNP agents assigned to various sea ports and airport terminals all over the country have been ordered to be on the lookout for possible undocumented aliens in their respective areas of jurisdiction.