Manila: Five foreign nationals were arrested for various offenses in separate operations in Metro Manila, Pampanga, and Rizal, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) operatives arrested 50-year-old Robert Carlos Ramirez, wanted in the United States for alleged sexual abuse of a minor, during an enforcement operation at Camp Tomas Pepito in Angeles City, Pampanga on September 10. Ramirez is the subject of an outstanding warrant issued by the Northeast District County of Los Angeles, California, for the felony charge of continuous sexual abuse of a minor. The BI-FSU acted on information from the Diplomatic Security Service - Overseas Criminal Investigations of the US Department of State, through the US Embassy in Manila, which sought the bureau's assistance in locating and apprehending Ramirez. The embassy also informed the BI that Ramirez's US passport had been revoked.
BI records showed that Ramirez last arrived in the Philippines on July 20, 2023, as a temporary visitor and has overstayed his authorized period of stay, has an existing derogatory record with the bureau, and is subject to deportation proceedings. Ramirez is currently detained at the Angeles City Jail, pending resolution of a case involving alleged violations of Sections 4(a), in relation to Section 6(a), and 11(a)(1) of Republic Act (RA) 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
The arrest is part of the BI's 'Shield Kids' campaign, aimed at preventing the Philippines from becoming a haven for fugitives accused of crimes against children. Concurrently, the BI Intelligence Division arrested four foreign nationals in three separate operations in Rizal, Quezon City, and Mandaluyong City on September 7 for various violations of Philippine immigration laws.
According to BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr., the first operation was conducted in Cainta, Rizal, resulting in the arrest of Indian nationals Lamber Singh, 43, and Ranjodh Singh, 27. Lamber allegedly fraudulently acquired a resident visa, while Ranjodh failed to present valid immigration documents and was deemed an undocumented alien. Both were reportedly engaged in '5-6' lending activities.
In a separate operation at Fairmont Park Subdivision in Quezon City, BI personnel arrested Kulwinder Singh Gill, 36, an Indian national, under Mission Order 2026-323. His visa had been cancelled, rendering him an undocumented alien, and he was reportedly engaged in '5-6' lending activities. Meanwhile, BI operatives arrested Saeid Bahadoran Baghbaderani, 33, an Iranian national, in Mandaluyong City, under Mission Order 2026-325. Baghbaderani was apprehended for allegedly engaging in gainful business without the appropriate visa and was cited for alleged fraud and misrepresentation in his previous work visa.
Manahan stated that the operations were coordinated with the Philippine National Police in the respective areas. All four individuals were brought to the BI Warden's Facility and will remain in custody pending deportation proceedings.
