By Ben Rosario
ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap on Wednesday asked immigration and labor authorities to act swiftly in addressing the rising problem of illegal aliens, saying that this is one way of averting crimes committed by them.
House of the Representatives (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE PHOTO)
Yap, chairman of the House Committee on Games and Amusement, said the arrest of eight Chinese workers allegedly hired by a POGO firm is among the incidents that should raise concern among government agencies such as the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Labor and Employment.
The eight aliens were accused of involvement in a foiled kidnapping incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
"Matagal na nating sinasabi yan na may mga insidente ng kidnapping na sila silang mga Chinese nationals. Naglatag na tayo ng mga suggestion natin para higpitan pa ang pag-issue ng working permits sa bansa,” said Yap. (I have already warned about kidnapping incidents committed by Chinese nationals against their compatriots. I have suggested before the strict issuance of working permits in the country.)
The neophyte party-list lawmaker also cited two other kidnapping cases allegedly involving Chinese workers.
One involved two aliens who are reportedly lovers. The couple was kidnapped and later set free after their respective families paid the ransom demanded by the culprits.
Yap noted that there were no arrests made by police authorities since the incident was reported.
The lawmaker also disclosed that reports surfaced that two Chinese nationals were rescued by the police. The two were allegedly victimized by the POGO firm where they used to work.
Before the kidnapping, the two victims had allegedly resigned from the company and were supposed to return to China.
Yap said DOLE and BI should plug the loopholes in the processing of immigration documents of aliens in order to swiftly track down those who are committing crimes in the country.