Well he must still have some feelings for her somewhere, otherwise the emotional blackmail would not be working.

Married in Phils he may be, but he's in the UK. At a guess she wouldn't sign a divorce agreement, so it would have to be a two year separation, if he wants to divorce her that is. If he's still living with her, then this isn't going to happen, but being married to someone you aren't in a relationship with anymore isn't the biggest of big deals, I know plenty of people this applies to, they just can't be bothered doing anything about it.

As for when the ILR comes up, it's going to be up to him if he will play ball, paying for this (let me guess, he will be expected to pay huh) and signing it and the proof it is a relationship.

If he won't do it, she becomes I guess an illegal immigrant, not that this seems to matter to many of them, it's not like despite the threats, she will get bundled on the next plane out.

Got a strange feeling this guy is going to end up agreeing to signing the ILR, THEN eventually there will be a divorce, and then she will be here for good, will get a good solicitor, probably using legal aid and take half his house, his cd collection etc.

I am not having a go here one little bit, it's just - if he will fall to the emotional blackmail so easily, then he should see this coming.

Reading between the lines, I suspect she doesn't want him anymore (Well this is confirmed) but she sure wants the UK settlement visa, and he is the tool to get this.

As a footnote, this story is another example of how the visa system is in this country, as I bet he's like some others on this forum (and yes - me included) who take a risk and go for early marriage as it's the way to be together, rather than getting to know her for longer and actually being able to live with her for a number of months and REALLY get to know each other.