More than 80 foreign nationals were arrested after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) conducted an operation in Pasay City.

The operation resulted in the arrest of 83 individuals from various countries who allegedly operated retail shops in a shopping mall in Pasay.

The BI said on Saturday that weeks of surveillance and intelligence work led to the raid after reports were received about foreign nationals involved in retail operations in the area.

Following the approval of a mission order from Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, BI operatives conducted the operation in Baclaran.

Those arrested were identified as 68 Bangladeshi nationals, 14 Chinese nationals and one Indian national. Of the total, 81 were male and two were female.

The BI said some of the foreign nationals held valid visas allowing them to stay in the country, but further checks showed some were engaged in retail trade activities prohibited under Philippine law.

Eighteen foreign nationals were found holding tourist visas, while six were undergoing identity verification.

The BI said the foreign nationals would face charges for undocumented stay, misrepresentation and violation of Republic Act 8762, or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, which prohibits foreign nationals from engaging in retail trade without proper authority, regardless of visa status.

Viado said possession of a visa does not grant blanket authority to work or do business in the country.

“The President has been very clear in his directive — our immigration laws must be enforced firmly and without exception. Foreign nationals who abuse their stay and illegally compete with Filipino livelihoods will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

The arrested foreign nationals were brought to BI custody for documentation, inquest proceedings and the initiation of deportation cases, in accordance with immigration laws and procedures.

The BI reminded foreign nationals to strictly comply with the conditions of their stay. It also advised business establishments to ensure their workers and operators are properly documented and legally authorized.