According to information provided by MiddleAsianNews, on Sunday the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a citizen of Mongolia in Iba, located in Zambales province, on suspicion of espionage.
According to the Bureau of Immigration, the detained individual is 30-year-old Bold-Erdene Boldbaatar, who previously graduated from a pilot school. His arrest took place on February 12 at an aviation school located in the village of Lipay Dingin.
The detention was the result of a joint operation conducted by the intelligence unit of the Bureau of Immigration, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and several other human rights and intelligence organizations. The Bureau of Immigration identified him as an "undesirable foreigner" posing a threat to national security.
Official reports state that Bold-Erdene obtained a pilot's diploma and is believed to have connections with intelligence agencies.
“During his training flights, the suspect reportedly engaged in aerial photography of the Iba airport and the surrounding areas of the Palaui River, which is located approximately five nautical miles from the airport,” representatives of the Bureau of Immigration stated.
The Bureau of Immigration emphasized that the Philippines will not allow its civil educational institutions to be used for activities that threaten national security.
“Foreigners are required to strictly adhere to the conditions of their stay in the country,” the representatives of the Bureau of Immigration added in a statement.
After the arrest, the suspect was transferred to the main office of the Bureau of Immigration in Manila for the processing of necessary documents, medical examination, and biometric registration.
He was later transferred to a detention facility of the Bureau of Immigration, awaiting deportation procedures.
