Pakistani illegally working in GenSan arrested on his birthday – BI

Bureau of Immigration (BI) operatives arrested on Friday a Pakistani for operating a shop without a proper visa.

In a report submitted to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. identified the Pakistani as Nasir Khan, who was arrested on his 25th birthday after having been found to be operating his surplus shop in Brgy. Apopong, General Santos City, while possessing only a tourist visa.

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The arrest, which was implemented by BI Regional Intelligence Operations Unit XII head Andre Joseph Fournier and Mindanao Intelligence Task Group head Melody Penelope Gonzales, in coordination with Police Station 2 of the General Santos City Police Office, was according to a mission order issued by Morente.

Records revealed that Khan held a working visa until June last year but has since stayed in the country under a tourist visa.

“Foreign nationals are not allowed to conduct commercial activities without the proper visa,” said Morente. “This is considered a violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 and is grounds for deportation and blacklisting,” he added.

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Khan will remain in the BI’s Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig, pending his deportation.


Syndicated estafa vs. 6 Pharmally execs recommended

The House panel yesterday recommended filing a syndicated estafa case against six Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. officials in connection with the government’s controversial purchase of medical supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Diwa Partylist Rep. Michael Aglipay, Chairman of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, the syndicated estafa recommended that Pharmally President Huang Tzu Yen, Director Linconn Ong, Mohit, Twinkle Dargani, Justine Garado and Krizle Grace Mago be charged with fraud.

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Aglipay said it was clear that Pharmally was abusing the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act by purchasing P8.68 billion Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) using public funds.

Meanwhile, the committee acquitted former Economic Adviser Michael Yang and former Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) Chief Lloyd Christopher Lao on the issue of overpricing. The committee said they were in line with the pandemic government response.

Yang is the financier of Pharmally, who won a billion worth of contracts with the government even though it does not have enough capital of just over P600-M.

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