The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently apprehended an American tourist for undesirable behavior and a Japanese criminal gang member in separate operations.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado confirmed the arrest of Evan Ronald Berlin, 31, at his residence in Poblacion, Makati City, on March 14. Berlin faces deportation after a complaint labeled him an undesirable alien.
The case stems from an incident on March 9 at a five-star hotel in Parañaque City, where Berlin allegedly assaulted a complainant, causing him to lose consciousness and sustain injuries. The attack reportedly occurred after the complainant confronted Berlin for sexually assaulting his wife.
“He will undergo deportation proceedings for overstaying and undesirability. Foreigners who violate our immigration laws and harm people do not deserve the privilege to stay in our country,” Viado stated.
Berlin, who arrived in the Philippines on March 5, 2023, as a temporary visitor, overstayed after his visa extension expired in July 2023. He also has an outstanding arrest warrant from a Makati court issued on September 13, 2023, for physical injury and violating the Safe Spaces Act.
On March 15, BI operatives also arrested 35-year-old Odaira Kai, a suspected member of the Luffy fraud syndicate, in his San Fernando City, Pampanga condominium.
Japanese authorities reported that Kai and his accomplices stole ATM cards by impersonating law enforcers, deceiving an elderly victim into surrendering bank cards under the pretense of a police investigation. They allegedly withdrew over 4 million yen (approximately USD 27,000).
Both Berlin and Kai are now detained at the BI custodial facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, awaiting deportation proceedings.
