Operatives from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Army, and the Bureau of Immigration arrested two (2) overstaying foreign nationals in Basilan and Zamboanga City on June 8, 2022. SEAL teams from Naval Forces Western Mindanao, intelligence agents from the Army, Navy, and ISAFP units, and Army troopers from JTF Basilan, 101st Brigade, and 19 Special Forces Company joined Bureau of Immigration Region 9 agents in carrying out the apprehension of an overstaying Pakistani national identified as ZAIN UL ABIDEEN at Sitio Sunset, Brgy. Tabuk, Isabela City, Basilan Province on June 08, 2022.
Abideen uses several aliases such as KHALER, KHAN, and JHEN. He resides in Brgy. Panigayan, Malamaui Island, Isabela City, Basilan. He was monitored selling plastic wares and cigarettes, and offered money-lending services to the residents in the area. Abideen was suspiciously monitored frequently visiting Maluso and Sumisip in Basilan province.
Abideen was escorted to Zamboanga City for his medical check-up, undergo additional inquiry and documentation, and appropriate disposition by BI Region 9.
In a separate operation conducted by BI Region 9 together with AFP and PNP operatives from JTF Zamboanga, Naval Forces Western Mindanao, and the Zamboanga City Police Office, a certain Rafshad Cherikal Phutiyapurayil, an overstaying Indian national, was also apprehended at Yubengco Mall Putik, Zamboanga City.
The arrested individual was brought to PNP PCTC, Camp Battalla in Zamboanga City for further inquiry, documentation, and appropriate disposition.
The operations by the military and the BI is in line with the national government’s effort through the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to undertake a crackdown on undocumented, overstaying, and undesirable foreign nationals in the country who might be involved in illegal activities and pose a threat to the peace and security of the country. (Cecil Abuy)