4 Chinese nationals nabbed in Ilocos Norte for immigration raps

Four Chinese nationals were recently arrested in separate operations in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, for allegedly violating the country’s immigration law and the terms of their working visas, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.

In a statement over the weekend, the BI said the arrests were carried out on Nov. 6.

BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reiterated the call for all foreigners to strictly comply with immigration regulations, particularly concerning the conditions of their visa and place of residence.

“These operations show that our enforcement work extends to every part of the country. Foreign nationals who violate the terms of their stay and abuse the hospitality of the Philippines will be apprehended and deported,” Viado said.

Two Chinese nationals aged 43 and 41 were first to be arrested at a restaurant in Barangay Bayog, Burgos town.

Both were found to be working for companies other than their registered petitioning employer and failed to report their transfer of residence – both violations of the Philippines’ immigration law.

Later that day, the BI arrested two more Chinese nationals aged 45 and 33 in Barangay Poblacion, Burgos town for similar offenses.

Both were found to be working for a company located in Ilocos Norte despite being petitioned by another firm based in Taguig City.

The foreigners were informed of their constitutional rights and were brought to the BI Warden Facility in Taguig City for booking, documentation, and verification procedures, prior to the initiation of deportation proceedings against them. — JMA, GMA Integrated News