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Advocates Philippines
BI Arrests Three Foreign Nationals For Immigration Violations
Photo credit: BI
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested three foreign nationals in separate operations across Luzon and the Visayas as part of the government's ongoing campaign to strengthen border security and enforce Philippine immigration laws.
The operations, conducted on July 1 and 2, were in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure that foreign nationals comply with the country's immigration rules.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified those arrested as 35-year-old Cameroonian Henri Joel Atanga Betayene, 53-year-old Turkish national Murat Fentci, and 60-year-old Italian national Mario Angelai.
BI intelligence operatives first arrested Betayene in a subdivision in Cainta, Rizal after confirming that he had overstayed in the country. Fentci was later apprehended in Barangay Canmaya Diot, Sagbayan, Bohol for the same violation after authorities verified that he had remained in the Philippines beyond his authorized stay.
In a separate operation in Baguio City, Angelai was taken into custody after investigators found him working as a chef at a local restaurant despite holding only a tourist visa. Surveillance conducted by BI operatives confirmed that he was employed without the required work visa or permit.
"Our message is clear: foreign nationals are welcome in the Philippines, but they must respect our immigration laws," Viado said. "Those who overstay, work without the proper visa, or violate the conditions of their stay will be apprehended and subjected to deportation proceedings. We will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations nationwide to protect the integrity of our immigration system."
Viado also praised the BI Intelligence Division and its regional teams for expanding enforcement efforts outside Metro Manila, saying the arrests reflect the bureau's stronger intelligence operations and close coordination with local law enforcement.
The three foreign nationals are now under BI custody for processing and documentation and will face deportation proceedings for violating the Philippine Immigration Act.
The operations, conducted on July 1 and 2, were in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure that foreign nationals comply with the country's immigration rules.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified those arrested as 35-year-old Cameroonian Henri Joel Atanga Betayene, 53-year-old Turkish national Murat Fentci, and 60-year-old Italian national Mario Angelai.
BI intelligence operatives first arrested Betayene in a subdivision in Cainta, Rizal after confirming that he had overstayed in the country. Fentci was later apprehended in Barangay Canmaya Diot, Sagbayan, Bohol for the same violation after authorities verified that he had remained in the Philippines beyond his authorized stay.
In a separate operation in Baguio City, Angelai was taken into custody after investigators found him working as a chef at a local restaurant despite holding only a tourist visa. Surveillance conducted by BI operatives confirmed that he was employed without the required work visa or permit.
"Our message is clear: foreign nationals are welcome in the Philippines, but they must respect our immigration laws," Viado said. "Those who overstay, work without the proper visa, or violate the conditions of their stay will be apprehended and subjected to deportation proceedings. We will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations nationwide to protect the integrity of our immigration system."
Viado also praised the BI Intelligence Division and its regional teams for expanding enforcement efforts outside Metro Manila, saying the arrests reflect the bureau's stronger intelligence operations and close coordination with local law enforcement.
The three foreign nationals are now under BI custody for processing and documentation and will face deportation proceedings for violating the Philippine Immigration Act.
Jul 14, 2026
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