9 Chinese nationals arrested in Paranaque City Fishport -- BI
Nine Chinese nationals suspected to be working illegally onboard vessels along Manila Bay were arrested last June 29 at the Paranaque City Fishport, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Monday, July 1.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said only five of those arrested have pre-arranged working visas petitioned by an engineering company in Pasay City.
Tansingco identifed them as Li Weilin, Liu Peng, Wang Yong, Huang Haibing, Gong Yuan Ju, Zhang Tao, Dai Guang Yuan, Li Jiang Yu, and Kang Tian De. Those with working visas were not identified.
He said they were arrested by BI operatives in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) while disembarking from three motorboats at the Paranaque City Fishport at around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 29.
“This operation is a clear message that we will not tolerate foreign nationals abusing their stay in the country,” Tansingco said.
“We remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our borders and maintain order,” he assured.
Tansingco said: "We have reason to suspect that these individuals are engaging in illegal work in vessels along Manila Bay."
He said the visas of five of them "limit their work to a company in Pasay City and nowhere else."
He stressed that "foreign nationals with valid working visas, if found to be working in a different company, are violating the conditions of their stay."
Those arrested are now detained at the BI's facility inTaguig City for further investigation, he said.