THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has apprehended an Indian national who was found conducting a merchandising business without a proper working visa or permit.

BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. identified the alien as Inderjeet Bamdev, 36, who was arrested last Oct. 24 at his store in Barangay Centro Norte, Camalaniugan, Cagayan.

According to Manahan, the arrest followed after they received a complaint that Bamdev was working on his business without the appropriate visa.

“It took hours to take Bamdev into our custody as he refused the arrest. He even bragged that he has the backing of some law enforcement officers and that he is untouchable by BI,” Manahan disclosed further.

After verification of Bamdev’s travel record and visa status, it was learned that he has been in the country for more than four years without securing the appropriate visa.

Bamdev is now being charged for violating the conditions of his stay and for being an undocumented alien under Sec. 37(a)(7) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco then lamented how some illegal foreigners behave in the country. “It is disappointing how some think they can easily evade the authorities in our country,” said Tansingco. “Nobody is above the law. Adhere by it or face deportation,” he added.

Bamdev is being held at BI’s detention center in Taguig pending deportation proceedings. By Jun I. Legaspi and Hector Lawas

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Jun I. Legaspi