4 INDIANS, 1 MALAYSIAN ARRESTED IN TAWI-TAWI FOR ILLEGAL ENTRY

FOUR Indian men and a Malaysian on Friday were arrested by agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for illegal entry in the country.

According to BI Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr., members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Tawi-Tawi reported monitoring four Indian nationals on a vessel.

The four were identified as Lakhwinder Singh Brar, 30; Parwinder Singh, 21; Sukhraj Singh Dubb, 32; and Jagjit Chohan, 36.

Upon arrival of the vessel in Bongao, the PCG said  another foreign national, a Malaysian man named Bryan Joel Ng, 25, was caught allegedly traveling with a Filipina girlfriend.

Initial interview by PCG revealed that all four Indian men were found to have no immigration stamps while the Malaysian national was unable to present his passport.

The PCG immediately informed the BI Regional Intelligence Operating Unit IX agents, who proceeded to the site to implement the arrest.

Armed with a mission order signed by Commissioner Norman Tansingco, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Intelligence Unit 9, PNP Zamboanga City Police Office, and the PNP Intelligence Group,  the BI agents arrested the foreign nationals.

It was found out that the four Indians are blacklisted from the Philippines and were attempting to enter the country illegally to avoid immigration inspections.

Ng is suspected to be involved in trafficking.

All five foreigners were recommended to be charged with violation of Section 37 (a) (1) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 or illegal entry.