The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is initiating deportation proceedings against an overstaying Pakistani recently arrested by the police in Palawan for alleged possession of guns and explosives.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered the BI's legal division to file charges of immigration law violation against 29-year-old Haroon Bashir, who was arrested last August 6 at his residence in Dacillo Compound, Barangay San Jose, Puerto Princesa City.
Morente said the Pakistani, suspected as a bomb maker by the police, will undergo deportation proceedings for overstaying and being an undocumented alien.
“A check of his travel record in our database showed that he arrived in the Philippines on April 26, 2013, and that he never left the country since then,” Morente said.
He added that aside from overstaying for more than seven years, Bashir also failed to present any travel document, thus, he is also an undocumented alien.”
Reports said the regional office of the Philippine National Police is still investigating his possible involvement with local terrorist groups.
But Morente explained that even if the BI orders Bashir’s summary deportation, he will not be deported yet as he is facing criminal charges for possession of deadly weapons which could send him to jail if convicted by the court.
“It is only after he has served his sentence that we can deport him,” the BI Chief said.
The arresting police operatives reported that they found inside Bashir’s house a caliber .45 pistol and two improvised explosive devices (IED) which they immediately detonated after the raid.