The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of 30 Chinese nationals who were caught illegally working in several establishments in Parañaque. The announcement was made after the taho (soy pudding)-throwing incident involving a female Chinese national and a local policeman.
BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said the Chinese nationals were found working without the required visa or permit, which is a violation of the Philippine Immigration Act.
Morente also warned that more arrests would be made by the BI as it intensifies its campaign against illegal aliens.
“I cannot comprehend how these illegal aliens can have the audacity to blatantly and openly work without the proper documentation,” Morente said. “We are serious in our drive against illegal aliens. You better follow the law, or face deportation.”
Those arrested were found working in 16 establishments at the Solemare Parksuites and Aseana Power Station, both in the vicinity of the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard.
The arrest came after the bureau’s intelligence unit received a tip about foreign nationals illegally working in the area.
“Our intel has received anonymous information that numerous foreigners were working illegally in the area,” Morente said. “I immediately issued a mission order to conduct the arrests upon confirmation.”
Prior to the operation, the BI placed the subject establishments under surveillance.
The Chinese nationals were caught working as cooks, hairstylists and vendors. “Most of them were working under a tourist visa,” the BI said. “Many were undocumented and were even overstaying.”
The arrested Chinese nationals are now detained at the BI Detention Center while they await deportation proceedings against them.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he would await first the report of the BI on the case of Chinese national Jiale Zhang, 23, who threw her taho at Police Officer 1 William Cristobal after she was prevented by the latter from entering a Metro Rail Transit 3 because she was carrying food.
Zhang is now facing direct assault and disobedience to an agent of authority before the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office.