276 aliens nabbed in raid on Makati online company

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced Tuesday the arrest of 276 foreigners during a raid of a network technology company on Ayala Ave. in Makati City.

Morente said the raid was carried out after the bureau received a tip about foreign nationals working in the area without the proper visas.

BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. said the aliens were arrested following verification of their travel documents and immigration status.

They were mostly engaged in online gaming.

“Most were undocumented, and were unable to present any proof showing their status of stay here,” said Manahan.

Morente said the bureau will continue cracking down on foreigners working without permits, adding: "We are focusing our efforts on arresting those working without the proper documentation, stealing jobs from Filipinos.”

In 2018, BI’s intelligence division arrested a total of 533 foreigners, mostly found to be working without permit.

The figure is 326 percent higher than those apprehended in 2017.

The latest case has been forwarded to the BI’s legal division for verification and filing of appropriate charges as the aliens have been temporarily detained at the BI’s warden facility in Taguig City.