ILOILO CITY – The Police Regional Office-6 refuted the claim of Iloilo City Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda that Chinese nationals are engaged in illegal activities here.
“There is no confirmation,” said PRO-6 chief Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky.
POLICE Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky addresses the media in a press conference at the PRO-6 headquarters in Camp Delgado in Iloilo City on Monday, July 29. (Tara Yap)
Baronda said in a radio interview that the National Bureau of Investigation reported to her that the number of Chinese nationals involved in illegal activities in this city is growing.
The congresswoman had earlier requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to look into illegal Chinese immigrants allegedly renting houses in upscale subdivisions here.
Wanky ordered the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) to conduct monitoring in line with Baronda’s latest statement.
“Our initial validation is negative,” Wanky told the Iloilo Police and Defense Press Corps in a press conference on Monday, July 29.
Wanky noted there is no need to create a task force to probe the allegations further. “There’s no need. Unless we have monitored, then there’s a special body to check,” added Wanky.
But last November, 17 Chinese nationals were arrested in Jaro District for engaging in cybersex operation, fraud, and love scam.
The Iloilo City Council is also looking into the alleged proliferation of illegal Chinese immigrants.