4 foreigners arrested in Pampanga over alleged illegal activities — BI

The Bureau of Immigration said four foreigners were arrested in an enforcement operation over their alleged involvement in telecommunications fraud, online gaming scams, and other illicit activities in Angeles City, Pampanga.

In a statement issued Sunday, the Immigration Bureau said the foreigners -- three Japanese and one Chinese -- were nabbed in a residential area in Barangay Pampang on February 18.

Immigration authorities said the subjects failed to present passports or valid identification documents.

Two of the Japanese nationals were found to be overstaying and undocumented aliens. The other one was cited for harboring illegal aliens and for being undocumented.

During investigation conducted in the presence of Japanese Embassy representatives, the arrested individuals denied involvement in kidnapping and extortion but admitted participation in scamming activities and online gaming fraud operations allegedly based in Angeles City.

Meanwhile, the BI found the Chinese man to be overstaying, undocumented, and previously declared as an undesirable alien.

He was also allegedly the logistics head of the scam hub, responsible for training personnel and managing operational requirements.

The subjects were apprised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood and were brought to the BI Regional Intelligence Operations Unit-3 (RIOU-3) for  documentation before their transfer at the BI Warden Facility in Taguig City.

“We will not allow the Philippines to be used as a breeding ground for scam hubs, kidnapping schemes, and transnational fraud operations,” said Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.

“Foreign syndicates who think they can hide behind tourist visas or expired documents should think again. We are working closely with foreign governments and local law enforcement, and we will hunt you down," he added. — Sundy Locus/RSJ, GMA Integrated News