26 Chinese nationals illegally working in PHL arrested in QC, Malabon

Immigration intelligence agents on Tuesday arrested at least 26 Chinese nationals illegally working in the Philippines, following a raid on a condominium construction site in Quezon and Malabon cities.

The Bureau of Immigration agents caught the Chinese nationals working on the building, according to a report by GMA News' John Consulta on "24 Oras."

Some tried to flee but were caught. The report said the Chinese nationals lacked the proper permits to work in the Philippines.

Investigation showed a mason, "Ji," recruited the Chinese to work on the condominium. "Ji" arrived in the Philippines as a tourist and has stayed here for 20 years.

While he claimed he had documents to stay here, he could not produce them when the BI agents asked to see them.

The BI said some rings are illegally recruiting Chinese to work in the Philippines by bringing them in as tourists.

BI spokesperson Elaine Tan said the 26 can be charged as undocumented foreign nationals if they have no documents.

The BI is now trying to trace the syndicates behind the entry of illegal foreign workers. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News