By Jun Ramirez
Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents have arrested an American beach resort owner in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, for working without a permit, a day before the government temporarily closed the country’s top tourist destination.
(Pixabay / Manila Bulletin)
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said 52-year-old Randall Lee Parker was caught on April 25 by the bureau’s intelligence operatives inside Artienda, formerly known as Crown Beach Hotel.
Morente issued a mission order for Parker’s arrest after a complaint was filed with the BI about his business activities in running the resort without the appropriate work permit or visa.
“He will undergo deportation proceedings for illegally working in the country,” the BI chief said, adding that both the Labor Code and the Immigration Act strictly forbids aliens from engaging in gainful activity unless they obtain a work permit from the Labor Department and employment visa from the BI.
Morente said that Parker has been in the Philippines as a tourist for almost two years and that by engaging in gainful work, he blatantly violated the conditions of his stay as a temporary visitor.
Lawyer Antonette Bucasas- Mangrobang, BI spokesperson, disclosed that a check of the bureau’s travel records showed that the American arrived in the country on April 16, 2016 and has not left ever since.
Mangrobang said Parker, whose stay as a tourist was extended up to June 14 this year, has been going in and out of the country since 2005.
“The rule is that aliens holding tourist visas are not allowed to engage in any form of gainful employment or business activity,” she added.
(Pixabay / Manila Bulletin)
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said 52-year-old Randall Lee Parker was caught on April 25 by the bureau’s intelligence operatives inside Artienda, formerly known as Crown Beach Hotel.
Morente issued a mission order for Parker’s arrest after a complaint was filed with the BI about his business activities in running the resort without the appropriate work permit or visa.
“He will undergo deportation proceedings for illegally working in the country,” the BI chief said, adding that both the Labor Code and the Immigration Act strictly forbids aliens from engaging in gainful activity unless they obtain a work permit from the Labor Department and employment visa from the BI.
Morente said that Parker has been in the Philippines as a tourist for almost two years and that by engaging in gainful work, he blatantly violated the conditions of his stay as a temporary visitor.
Lawyer Antonette Bucasas- Mangrobang, BI spokesperson, disclosed that a check of the bureau’s travel records showed that the American arrived in the country on April 16, 2016 and has not left ever since.
Mangrobang said Parker, whose stay as a tourist was extended up to June 14 this year, has been going in and out of the country since 2005.
“The rule is that aliens holding tourist visas are not allowed to engage in any form of gainful employment or business activity,” she added.