Zamboanga del Sur: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) Intelligence Division recently arrested a Pakistani national in Barangay Tiguma, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur for violation of Philippine immigration laws.

According to Philippines News Agency, Sajjad Khan, 31, was arrested on June 16 on the strength of a mission order issued by Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado following intelligence information about his illegal stay.

BI records reveal that Khan has been banned from the country since 2016. He admitted to illegally entering the Philippines by boat, a method commonly referred to as a 'backdoor' process.

Khan was found liable for violation of Section 37(a)(1) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended, for illegal entry and for being an undocumented alien.

Following his arrest, Khan was brought to the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office for documentation and further investigation. He was transferred the following day to the Bureau of Immigration Warden Facility at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City for temporary custody pending further legal proceedings.

The arrest operation was conducted in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the 53rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.