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Overstaying American Tourist Arrested After Allegedly Assaulting Man In Five-Star Hotel
Photo credit: BI
An American tourist who had overstayed his welcome—both legally and socially—has been arrested after allegedly attacking a man inside a luxury hotel in Parañaque City.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that 31-year-old Evan Ronald Berlin was apprehended by its Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) on March 14 at his residence in Makati City. Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the arrest stemmed from a deportation complaint filed against Berlin for being an “undesirable alien.”
The incident that triggered Berlin’s legal troubles happened on March 9, when he allegedly assaulted a man inside a hotel bar. Reports say the altercation began after the victim confronted Berlin for allegedly sexually harassing his wife. The confrontation quickly turned violent, with Berlin reportedly beating the man so severely that he lost consciousness.
But this isn’t Berlin’s first brush with the law. A Makati City court had already issued an arrest warrant against him last September for a separate case involving physical injury and a violation of the Safe Spaces Act. On top of that, immigration records show Berlin entered the Philippines on March 5, 2023, and has been overstaying since July of the same year.
“He will undergo deportation proceedings for overstaying and undesirability. Foreigners who violate our immigration laws and harm people do not deserve the privilege to stay in our country,” Viado said.
Berlin is currently detained at the BI’s custodial facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending deportation proceedings.
Japanese Fugitive Also Nabbed in Pampanga
In a separate case, the BI reported the arrest of a Japanese fugitive linked to the infamous “Luffy” fraud syndicate.
Authorities identified the suspect as 35-year-old Odaira Kai, who was caught on March 15 in his condominium in San Fernando, Pampanga. Japanese officials had alerted Philippine authorities about Kai’s presence, alleging that he and his accomplices stole ATM cards by impersonating law enforcers. They reportedly scammed an elderly victim, stealing over ¥4 million (around $27,000) through unauthorized withdrawals.
Like Berlin, Kai is now in BI custody, awaiting deportation.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that 31-year-old Evan Ronald Berlin was apprehended by its Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) on March 14 at his residence in Makati City. Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the arrest stemmed from a deportation complaint filed against Berlin for being an “undesirable alien.”
The incident that triggered Berlin’s legal troubles happened on March 9, when he allegedly assaulted a man inside a hotel bar. Reports say the altercation began after the victim confronted Berlin for allegedly sexually harassing his wife. The confrontation quickly turned violent, with Berlin reportedly beating the man so severely that he lost consciousness.
But this isn’t Berlin’s first brush with the law. A Makati City court had already issued an arrest warrant against him last September for a separate case involving physical injury and a violation of the Safe Spaces Act. On top of that, immigration records show Berlin entered the Philippines on March 5, 2023, and has been overstaying since July of the same year.
“He will undergo deportation proceedings for overstaying and undesirability. Foreigners who violate our immigration laws and harm people do not deserve the privilege to stay in our country,” Viado said.
Berlin is currently detained at the BI’s custodial facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending deportation proceedings.
Japanese Fugitive Also Nabbed in Pampanga
In a separate case, the BI reported the arrest of a Japanese fugitive linked to the infamous “Luffy” fraud syndicate.
Authorities identified the suspect as 35-year-old Odaira Kai, who was caught on March 15 in his condominium in San Fernando, Pampanga. Japanese officials had alerted Philippine authorities about Kai’s presence, alleging that he and his accomplices stole ATM cards by impersonating law enforcers. They reportedly scammed an elderly victim, stealing over ¥4 million (around $27,000) through unauthorized withdrawals.
Like Berlin, Kai is now in BI custody, awaiting deportation.
Mar 21, 2025
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