BI: Alleged order to inspect entertainment establishments fake

The Bureau of Immigration on Monday said it did not issue an operation order directing BI personnel to check various entertainment establishments for overstaying and illegally employed foreign nationals.

According to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, the fake order directed personnel to inspect entertainment places in Manila such as bars, KTVs, music houses, golf clubs, bowling alleys, internet cafes, amusement parks, casinos, hotels, guest houses, and restaurants to search for illegal aliens.

“No such order has been issued by the BI,” Tansingco said in a statement.

Tansingco added that BI operatives were not authorized to randomly inspect establishments and must first secure a mission order before an arrest.

“A mission order is only issued upon thorough investigation and confirmation that the subject foreign national has indeed violated immigration laws,” he said.

Tansingco believed that syndicates were using the bogus order to scare and scam foreign nationals in the country.

He advised the public to immediately report such scam attempts to the police. — DVM, GMA Integrated News