FIFTY Chinese working as laborers and office workers for a steel company in Saranggani province were arrested by a combined team from the Bureau of Immigration, PNP Region 12, Philippine Army and the National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency last April 30 for misrepresentation.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said reports reaching his office showed the operation was carried out in Kamanga, Maasim, Saranggani province. He said the Chinese have been the subject of a case build-up by the agency’s Mindanao Intelligence Task Group, the unit in charge of monitoring the movement of foreigners in the south.
“Our operatives received information from concerned citizens regarding the presence of aliens in the region. Our MITG conducted surveillance and found out that there were aliens working in manual labor,” Morente said.
He said their investigation showed the Chinese secured work permits last March but were found to have misrepresented themselves during their application with the local BI office.
“These aliens presented themselves as skilled servicemen that would conduct short-time work in the company. However, when we conducted an audit, we confirmed that they falsified their documents and misrepresented themselves,” the BI chief added.
Morente said 31 of those nabbed were doing manual labor while 18 were found working inconsistent with their permit.
“Of those arrested, only one was able to present proper documentation as he is a permanent resident in the country. The rest will be charged for violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940,” he said, adding the one with proper documents was later released.
