OPERATIVES of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Intelligence Division have arrested 39 foreign nationals, mostly of Chinese origin, working for a major telecommunications company located at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the operation was carried out last May 29 in coordination with the Southern Police District.
Viado said most of the arrested foreigners are Chinese nationals.
“It (Operation) targeted a major telecommunications company where the foreign nationals were found to be working in violation of Philippine immigration rules,” he said without naming the telecoms firm.
He said the foreigners failed to present valid travel documents during the raid, rendering them undocumented aliens under Philippine laws.
Further verification by the BI showed that while the foreigners held working visas, Viado said these were issued under petitions from a different company, thereby constituting a breach of the conditions of their stay in the country.
“Foreign nationals who wish to work in the Philippines must comply with all our laws and procedures. Those who enter under false pretenses or switch employers without proper authorization will face the full force of the law,” Viado said.
He said the raid was conducted following weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering in coordination with other government agencies.
“It is part of a broader effort to crack down on illegal foreign workers in the metropolis,” he added.
The arrested individuals are detained at the BI warden’s facility in Bicutan, Taguig City pending their deportation.
Meanwhile, an immigration official who requested anonymity, said they are looking at reports that the unnamed telecoms firm had previously employed more than 400 foreigners, mostly Chinese nationals, who lacked proper working visas.
“Patuloy nating binibiripeka ang nasabing impormasyon at nakikipag coordinate tayo sa iba pang law enforcement agencies (We are verifying the said information and we are coordinating with other law enforcement agencies),” the official said.
