Immigration to deport 3 Hong Kong residents for illegal entry

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration is set to deport three Hong Kong residents for allegedly entering the country illegally, the bureau announced on Monday.

The arrested foreigners were identified by BI Anti-Terrorist Group chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. as Tsui Tsz Kin, Ho Chin Wai and Wong Po. The three—all residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region—were arrested by the military in Basilan. 

According to Manahan, military personnel intercepted the three foreigners in the vicinity of Pilas Island in Hadji Mutamad, Basilan two weeks ago. They were aboard a speedboat that ran out of fuel.

“We are investigating their possible involvement in drug trafficking, human trafficking and smuggling,” Manahan said. In the statement released by the BI, the ATG chief also added that the three had been “uncooperative” during questioning.

The Hong Kong residents said that they were “just conducting testing procedures on their speedboat before they drifted into Philippine waters due to bad weather.”

According to the BI, several high-tech cellular phones, satellite phones, GPS devices and credit cards were seized from the three foreigners.

Manahan said that Immigration prosecutors are set to file charges of violation of the Philippine Immigration Act, which penalizes illegal entrants.

The three are currently being held at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation.