Anti-illegal alien drive generates P2M

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines - — The apprehension of 16 illegal aliens in this city last week by the Task Force Alien Mapping of the Bureau of  Immigration has resulted in more aliens voluntarily updating their travel permits by paying the corresponding fees.

BI-Bacolod collecting officer Mita Chuvy Arguelles said payments of fees by foreign nationals for special study permits, working permits and visa extensions at her field office have reached P2.1 million, as of last Friday.

Arguelles said on Thursday alone, the BI-Bacolod Field Office collected P557,797 in fees from foreigners. It collected a total of P2.1 million, from Oct 18 to 24, or around the time the TF was conducting its operations in Negros Occidental. Overstaying foreign nationals eventually processed their papers voluntarily, she said.

The TF has arrested three illegal Chinese nationals in Kabankalan City last Monday, 10 Indian nationals (four of whom are children) in La Castellana town Tuesday, and three Korean nationals in Bacolod Wednesday, for overstaying, residing in the country without documents, or working without required permits, according to Faizal Hussin, BI special assistant for intelligence and leader of the TF.

Hussin said they have gone to other places in the province in search of more illegal aliens, but could not find them. "We haven't seen anyone, even those Indian nationals engaged in money lending business are nowhere to be found," he said. "We're asking these foreigners to comply with the immigration laws," he added.

The 16 arrested illegal aliens are now facing deportation charges and will be deported to their respective countries, he said.

Hussin said the arrests in Negros Occidental were the first in a nationwide campaign against foreigners who have been undocumented, overstaying and have failed to pay the required fees, in violation of Philippine laws.

The TF was on a 7-day operation in Bacolod and Negros Occidental, upon instruction of acting BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison, to apprehend illegal foreign nationals.

Hussin disclosed that they monitor illegal aliens "through arrival records and tourism data." Some foreign nationals don't get working permits even if they are working here, he said.

From January to September of this year, the BI has registered a total of 822 foreigners, who are either permanent or temporary residents of Bacolod, 7,285 visa extension applicants, and 2,107 foreign students applying for special study permits.

Arguelles said foreigners are allowed to stay in the country for a maximum period of 16 months from the date of entry.  (FREEMAN)