BI ops arrest Nigerian national involved in trafficking of 9-month-old baby

Bureau of Immigration (BI) operatives arrested on Friday, a Nigerian national involved in the trafficking of a nine-month-old baby girl.

In a report to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) Chief Rendel Ryan Sy said that the alien was identified as Ifeanyi Bright Okoro, 31, who was arrested at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Compound along Taft Avenue, Manila.

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Okoro was arrested pursuant to a mission order issued by Morente for posing a risk to public safety and security.  He made headlines last week after being found by the NBI to have been allegedly involved in the sale of a baby.

The baby’s mother was reportedly heavily indebted because of e-sabong or online cockfighting.

“Apart from being undesirable, he was also found to be overstaying, because his visa has long expired in 2018,” said Sy.

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Okoro remains at the NBI’s custody as he was also charged for violation of RA 7610 or the Special Protection Against Children Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination and for other purposes, and Kidnapping under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines.

Morente commended the FSU operatives for the arrest.  “These undesirable aliens have no place in the country as they are a threat to our society,” said Morente.

BI ops arrest Nigerian national involved in trafficking of 9-month-old baby

He clarified that Okoro would have to face his local cases first before being deported.

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“If the local courts deem that he should serve time for his crimes, then he should complete that before being deported,” said Morente.

Meanwhile, Malacanang announced that beginning April 1, fully vaccinated foreign nationals may enter the country without the need for an entry exemption document (EED).  The ruling, which was approved during the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF)’s 16th meeting, also listed down other requirements that arriving foreign nationals are required to present.

Fully vaccinated arriving foreign nationals must carry an acceptable proof of vaccination as listed by the IATF, must present a passport valid for a period of at least 6 months and an outbound ticket, must have a travel and health insurance that covers Covid-19 with a minimum coverage of USD35,000 valid for the duration of their stay in the Philippines, and must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours or a negative laboratory-based taken within 24 hours prior to departure from country of origin in a continuous travel to the Philippines.

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