3 Chinese arrested for alleged immigration violations in tech company raid in Laguna

Authorities arrested three Chinese nationals for alleged immigration violations following a raid on a telecommunications contractor in Calamba, Laguna on Friday.

Operatives from the Bureau of Immigration, PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) enforced a mission order against foreign nationals in the company following months long surveillance.

“Wala silang valid visas and work permit. They were taken in for violations of their conditions of stay,” PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz told reporters in a press briefing.

Originally thought to be a mini POGO scam hub, authorities uncovered that the company installed telecommunications infrastructure in the area.

However, the company did not have a business permit or a business license from the local government of Calamba.

The company also lacked necessary permits from the barangay.

“Walang nakitang naka-rehistrong business sa building na ito,” CIDG Director Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said.

“What they’re claiming is installer sila ng telecommunications network. Chinese ang pinaka-team leader. Yung mga tao sa field, mga Pilipino,” Torre added.

A total of 23 Filipino employees were held for questioning.

“Hindi lang nila alam kung kanino nanggagaling ang utos at kung ano ang mga nagagawa na iba nitong mga ini-install nilang mga communications equipment,” Torre said.

Various telecommunications equipment like antennas, rectifiers, power supplies etc were also found in the area.

Authorities are now coordinating with the telecommunications company that allegedly engaged the services of the raided firm.

PAOCC said a deeper investigation will now commence as communications is a vital lifeline in the country.

This comes after several Chinese nationals were arrested in the past month for suspected espionage. 

“Ang communication, ito yung pinaka-lifeline ng isang bansa. Kasi doon dumadaan ang transactions, issues concerning our country. National security issues, nire-relay diyan,” Cruz said.

“Kung may nakikialam diyan, that’s the problem. Lalo kung hindi tayo may hawak. Lalo kung ibang tao o ibang bansa,” Cruz added.

The arrested Chinese nationals will be detained at the PAOCC Detention Facility in Pasay and will face immigration inquest proceedings.  — BAP, GMA Integrated News