By Jun Ramirez
Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have stopped a Canadian from leaving the country due to a criminal complaint for slander and grave coercion filed against him by a Filipina.
BI port operations division chief Grifton Medina identified the passenger as Nelson William Paul Mayko, 56, who was intercepted last Friday as he was about to board Korean Airlines flight to Incheon, South Korea.
Medina said that Mayko was stopped from leaving after immigration officers found that the passenger is in the bureau’s alert list of aliens with pending criminal cases.
“Our officers also determined that aside from the said criminal case, a complaint for undesirability and working without permit was also lodged against him before the BI law and investigation division,” he added.
Records show that the cases against Mayko was initiated by a Filipino businesswoman who used to own and operate a stall at the public market in Bgy. Plaza, Tanay, Rizal.
The complainant alleged that Mayko forcibly took over the stall units in the market, including the ready-to-wear items being sold there.
“The Canadian’s case should serve as another warning to other foreigners that their stay in the country is not a right but a mere privilege, thus they should not abuse Philippine laws and its citizens,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente stated.
He further stressed that as in the case of other persons with pending cases here, they cannot be allowed to leave without facing and answering the charges against them.
Morente observed that the charges against Mayko were so serious that it should warrant a fair and proper hearing before the court and BI.
Mayko’s passport was confiscated and he was advised to report at the BI legal division.