Thirty-seven Chinese nationals, who were found illegally working at a construction site in Cotabato City, have been arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

They were arrested last Nov. 13 by operatives of the BI in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.

“Majority of those arrested were able to present a 9(g) working visa, but were petitioned by a different company, in violation of the conditions of their stay,” the BI said.  

“A handful were unable to present their documentation, while the rest were merely holding tourist visas,” it added.

The BI said the foreigners were arrested based on the mission order issued by Commissioner Viado who received information that the construction of the building was being done by illegal aliens.

It warned foreigners “not to attempt working in the country without the appropriate visas or permits.”

It pointed out that “government intelligence agencies are now closely coordinating and sharing information to be able to weed out illegal aliens from the country.”

“All 37 foreign nationals face deportation charges and will remain in the BI’s custody pending deportation,” it said.