AUTHORITIES arrested 16 Chinese and a Taiwanese in separate operations in Isabela and Masbate provinces for engaging in illegal mining operations.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said that seven Chinese and one Taiwanese were apprehended last September 23 at a mining site in Sitio Dimakawal, Barangay Bukal Norte, Dinapigue, Isabela.
Viado said the operation was conducted by the BI Intelligence Division Regional Intelligence Operations Units in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions Ilocos and Central Luzon, in coordination with the Armed Forces, National Bureau of Investigation–Isabela District Office, and the local police station in Dinapigue.
The arrests stemmed from intelligence reports that foreigners were seen mining in the area in violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 for working without a permit or visa, for being undocumented, and for engaging in work outside their petitioning company.
“Illegal mining not only destroys our environment but also deprives our country of valuable natural resources. Foreign nationals who come here to exploit our land without respect for our laws will face arrest, detention, and deportation. This is a clear message that the Philippines will not tolerate such activities,” the BI chief added.
Nine more Chinese were also apprehended in another mining site in Aroroy, Masbate.
Viado said the operation was jointly carried out by the BI’s Regional Intelligence Operations Unit 5, the AFP, NBI and the Masbate police provincial office.
Viado said the Chinese were apprehended in two separate mine sites in Barangay Cabangcalan and Barangay Pangle in Aroroy town.
“They were actively engaged in mining activities without the appropriate visas or permits. Some were also discovered to be overstaying or working in violation of their immigration status,” Viado added.
The arrested foreigners were brought to Manila and are detained at the BI’s detention facility in Taguig, where they will remain during deportation proceedings.
