BI prevents entry of 32 Indonesians in Tawi-Tawi

MANILA, Philippines - Some 32 Indonesians allegedly trying to pass themselves off as Filipinos were prevented by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) from entering the country.

In a statement issued yesterday, Immigration commissioner Ricardo David said the 32 Indonesians tried to enter the country through Tawi-Tawi in their effort to avail of the quota for Filipino Muslims to attend this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

David said they discovered the scheme after learning the Indonesians were unable to make the quota in their own country for the pilgrimage to Mecca.

David believed that a syndicate is behind the scheme to allow foreigners to fill up the quota for Filipino Muslims.

The racket was exposed after immigration personnel in Tawi-Tawi prevented the 32 Indonesians from entering the country via the Bongao port on board the M/V Mid-East.

The Indonesians were ordered back by immigration officers who interviewed them on the purpose of their travel to the Philippines. They spoke neither Filipino nor the local dialect Sinama, officials said.

Immigration officials learned the Indonesians were to be handed bogus Philippine passports. The Indonesians then admitted that they would be going to Mecca once they have obtained their Philippine passports.

David said the incident prompted him to issue an order alerting all immigration personnel in the different ports of entry to be on the lookout for foreigners suspected of involvement in the scheme.