Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. (Facebook)

Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. wants to take to task the Bureau of Immigration (BI) over the reported entry of more than 1,000 Chinese nationals to the country, particularly in the Cagayan Valley Region where there are three Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites. 

For this purpose, Abante filed House Resolution (HR) No.1703, which called for an investigation against the bureau itself on allegations of corruption. 

In a privilege speech during plenary session Tuesday, April 30, Abante expressed alarm over the "large and unprecedented" number of Chinese nationals that had chosen to study in the province of Cagayan. 

He says these people from China also include workers, businessmen, and tourists. This "extraordinary influx" of foreigners "should not be taken for granted", Abante warned. 

The three EDCA sites in the region, which American soldiers have access to, are Cagayan North International Airport in Lal-lo and the Camilo Osias Naval Station in Santa Ana, both in Cagayan; and Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela. 

Abante found it suspicious and anomalous "that these foreigners obtained Filipino birth certificates, driver’s licenses, UMID cards, passports and even accreditations and auxiliary membership in the armed services, particularly in the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)". 

"We should take this matter seriously. While these Chinese nationals are 'students,' their influx and their choice of school location should awaken and alarm us," said the former deputy speaker. 

"This does not only concern our educational system and institutions, our national security, but also honesty and integrity in government service. Corruption in the [BI] must be stopped," said Abante. 

The veteran solon noted the alleged history of corruption at the BI, particularly the involvement of its personnel in the departure of trafficked people in Philippines airports and the questionable entry of Chinese nationals in our country. 

"No less than Immigration Commissioner Norman Garcera Tansingco has pointed out that corruption has been a long problem of the bureau, and that they are making significant strides to catch corrupt employees and prevent other personnel from being tempted to go the rogue path, expressing hope that the technological upgrades at the BI will be able to provide another layer of security and prevent corruption," said the Manila congressman. 

These incidents as well as other issues such as the "pastillas" scheme resulted to the probe of BI personnel, 86 of whom were charged with corruption. A total of 45 were ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman, Abante said.