DITO: 39 foreigners brought to BI are bona fide employees of business partners

The 39 foreigners who were brought to the Bureau of Immigration for verification after BI officers went to DITO Tecommunity's offices last week are "bona fide employees" of its business partners, the telecommunications company said on Monday.

In a statement, DITO said it was confident that the BI's records would show that the foreigners had the necessary visas and work permits to legally work in the Philippines.

DITO said immigration officers on May 29 visited its offices, after which 39 foreigers affiliated with its accredited business partners were brought to the bureau for further verification. 

"DITO Telecommunity remains committed to full compliance with Philippine laws and continues to work closely with all relevant government agencies on this matter," the company said.

DITO branded as inaccurate and unfounded the "misleading information circulating in social media and other sources alleging that DITO illegally employs foreign nationals."

"These individuals are bona fide employees of our business partners, who are visiting DITO's office to render continuing technical support services to DITO and its Stand Alone 5G network pursuant to valid and existing service agreements with DITO," the company said.

"These foreign nationals are not employees of DITO. Their presence was strictly for the purpose of fulfilling contractually agreed technical and support obligations—an ordinary practice in infrastructure projects of this scale," it added. –NB, GMA Integrated News