ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Friday that its operatives — backed by police and military authorities — arrested two alleged overstaying and undesirable foreign nationals whom authorities believed were involved in illegal activities and pose a threat to the peace and security of the city and the region.
The agency said that combined police and military operatives arrested the two foreign nationals in separate operations in this city and in Isabela City on Wednesday.
The suspects were identified as Zain Ul Abideen, a Pakistani national and resident of Barangay Panigayan, Malamawi Island in Isabela City, Basilan province and Rafshad Cherikal Phutiyapurayil, an Indian national.
Abideen was arrested at Sitio Sunset, Barangay Tabuk, Isabela City, Basilan Province while Phutiyapurayil was arrested by the police at a Mall in Barangay Putik here.
Both were accused of overstaying foreign nationals and suspected of posing a threat to the peace and security of both cities.
The BI said that Abideen was using several aliases such as Khaler, Khan, and Jhen and was engaged in selling plastic wares, cigarettes and lending services to the residents in the area.
The military has also monitored Abideen frequently visiting Maluso and Sumisip towns in Basilan province for unknown purposes.
Abideen was escorted to Zamboanga City for medical check-up, investigation and documentation and for appropriate disposition by BI Region 9.
Phutiyapurayil, on the other hand, was arrested by the police and was brought to Camp Batalla here for investigation, documentation and appropriate disposition.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SBG
DisplacedLeytetownworkersgetneeded aidSenator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go remains committed to helping boost pandemic recovery for struggling sectors as he extended assistance to hundreds of displaced workers in Babatngon, Kananga, Isabel and Albuera, Leyte. Go’s outreach team handed out snacks to a total of 501 displaced workers at the ABC Hall in Kananga, Galicano N. Ruiz Center in Isabel, Barangay District III Gym in Babatngon, and Albuera Gymnasium.They also gave shoes and phablets to select individuals. As part of the government efforts to support struggling sectors, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided each displaced worker with livelihood assistance grants. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority assessed potential recipients of their respective programs. The senator — who heads of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography — also offered to help those in need of hospital care. He also advised them to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers in the province. Ensuring that poor and indigent patients can conveniently access aid from the government, the Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop for the medical assistance programs by DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office. To date, 151 centers have been established nationwide. The Malasakit Centers in Leyte are located at Leyte Provincial Hospital and Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center in Palo, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City, New Western Leyte Provincial Hospital in Baybay City, and Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City.