BI to deport 44 foreigners nabbed for kidnapping

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will initiate the deportation proceedings against 44 foreigners who were arrested recently for their involvement in kidnap for ransom activities in the country.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said he had ordered the bureau’s legal division to initiate deportation proceedings against the aliens and to summon them to the bureau for preliminary investigation.

Joint operatives from the police’s anti-kidnapping group (AKG) and BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) arrested the aliens last Tuesday inside a Pasay City hotel which led to the rescue of a Singaporean woman who was kidnapped by the suspects.

Morente said the aliens, who included 42 Chinese and two Malaysians, will be charged by the BI for being undesirable aliens and for violating the conditions of their stay as tourists.

He said the BI’s move is separate from the criminal charges for kidnapping that were filed against the suspects before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“We will only deport them after they are convicted and have served their sentences,” Morente said.

Atty. Arvin Santos, BI legal chief, said he had already directed his prosecutors to issue subpoenas to the aliens so they can be brought to his office for investigation and filing of charges.

Bobby Raquepo, BI-FSU acting chief, said the aliens belong to a syndicate believed responsible for kidnapping several foreign casino players in recent months.

“Our initial investigation revealed that all of them entered the country as tourists, although four of the Chinese suspects have no record of travel to the Philippines,” Raquepo said.

According to the rescued Singaporean, she was forcibly taken from Solaire casino and brought to Bayview Towers Hotel where she was detained and beaten by her captors who demanded US$180,000 for her release.