The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Thursday that the 41 foreign nationals apprehended in Bataan appeared before the agency to fulfill their reporting obligations.

Following a temporary transfer of their custody to Bataan Representative Albert Garcia and their legal counsel under a recognition agreement, all 41 arrested foreign nationals appeared before the BI Intelligence Division on 25 November.

Every two months, all 41 must appear at the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila, as part of the conditions of the transfer of custody.

The 41 arrested individuals represent various nationalities, including 22 Malaysians, two Chinese, a Pakistani, two Vietnamese, six Bangladeshis, an Indonesian, six Brazilians and a Thai.

BI commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado clarified that the BI is pursuing due process in accordance with Malacañang’s instructions and that the proceedings against the foreign nationals are ongoing.

The apprehended aliens face deportation cases on grounds of undesirability.

In immigration law, a subject granted bail by recognition is not released; their physical custody is transferred to an individual providing legal assurance during the deportation process.

The 41 foreigners were arrested by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission in Central One, Bataan, on 31 October.

Handoyo Salman, a 40-year-old Indonesian, was deported on 21 November after being identified as a wanted fugitive in Indonesia.

Viado said that the cases of the remaining 40 foreign nationals are still under process and they will be deported if found guilty.

The aliens’ passports are held by the BI, and their names are on the BI’s hold departure list, preventing them from leaving the country to avoid facing charges.