Upon docking at the shoreline, the boat carrying the four Indian nationals was also occupied by a Malaysian national and his Filipina girlfriend. The group disembarked on June 28, 2024, in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
(From the Bureau of Immigration)
The four Indian nationals, identified as Lakhwinder Singh Brar, 30 years old; Parwinder Singh, 21 years old; Sukhraj Singh Dubb, 32 years old; and Jagjit Chohan, 36 years old, were found to be carrying documents without immigration stamps.
The Malaysian, Bryan Joel Ng, 25 years old, did not have a passport.
Personnel from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested these illegal foreigners.
According to BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr., the PCG informed agents of the BI regional intelligence operating unit IX, who promptly arrested the foreigners. The Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Intelligence Unit 9, PNP Zamboanga City Police Office, and the PNP Intelligence Group were also involved in their arrest.
It was discovered that the four Indians were already blacklisted in the country and had tried to reenter through the "backdoor" to avoid immigration scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Ng, the Malaysian, is suspected of aiding them in their attempt to smuggle into the country.
The five are recommended to be charged with illegal entry into the country, a violation of Section 37(a)(1) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingo said their strict coordination with government agencies monitoring the seas and coastlines of the country helped prevent these illegal foreigners from entering the country.
Once the necessary procedures have been completed, they will be transported to the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
