Forty-two Chinese nationals who were arrested last April 9 in Alabat, Quezon will be deported, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday, April 11.

“These individuals have no legal right to work or even remain in the Philippines,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said in a statement.
“Our message is clear: immigration laws must be followed, or consequences will follow,” he declared.
The BI said the 42 Chinese were arrested last April 9 during a surprise raid of a remote facility in Barangay Villanorte by the bureau, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The BI noted that the site “appeared to serve as both an office and living quarters.”
“Authorities reported that the foreign nationals failed to show valid passports or immigration documents,” it said.
During initial questioning, the BI said “they admitted to be working on a construction project in the area.”
“Their activities, however, were found to be in violation of immigration laws, specifically for being undocumented and working without permits,” it also said.