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MANILA, Philippines -- The Bureau of Immigration has advised foreign nationals to get the necessary visa and permit before working in the country.
This after it arrested Jonathan Bentley Stevens, an Australian national running a furniture store in Davao without the required papers.
Stevens was issued a special non-immigrant visa as a foreign investor that expired on July 22, 2005, Immigration spokesman Floro Balato Jr. said.
The Australian was employed as chairman, chief executive officer and corporate secretary of the Bentley House Furniture Company, Balato said.
Stevens was immediately flown to Manila after his arrest and confined at the bureau's detention center in Bicutan while awaiting deportation. Balato said Stevens would be blacklisted and banned from re-entering the country after he is sent back to Australia.
"The Bureau of Immigration cannot allow these illegal working aliens to trample with our immigration laws to the prejudice of our fellow Filipinos," BI Acting Commissioner Roy Almoro said.
Almoro warned other foreigners against working illegally or engaging in any gainful activity in the country without the required work permit and visa. Kathleen Martin, contributor
