The arrested Chinese workers in Pampanga. Photo courtesy of Bureau of Immigration
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested a total of 1,240 illegal Chinese workers inside a posh rest and recreation center in Clark, Pampanga.
In a report to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, the joint operation against the Chinese nationals were conducted by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit and the Angeles City Police led by Senior Superintendent Sidney Villafor.
“Our immigration officers have started conducting verification of passports (of the suspects),” Morente said.
Immigration Spokesperson Atty. Maria Antonette Bucases-Mangrobang said the Chinese nationals are working in call center type of operations and investigation is still ongoing to identify the owner.
Initial evaluation showed that some of the arrested Chinese nationals have working visas.
“But we still have to determine the type of working visa…We still have to check if the actual work when they were arrested is the same as that indicated in the working visa. It is not just enough that they have a working visa,” she said adding that some have arrived in the country as tourists.
On who will be deported, Mangrobang said the Board of Commissioners will still have to determine that based on the evidence to be submitted by the Immigration’s Intel.
“It will be assessed to determine the necessary actions to take as far as these foreign nationals are concerned,” she added.
The arrested Chinese nationals are currently at the Fontana Food Center and are being secured by elements of the Special Action Force (SAF). CDG
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