Immigration authorities arrested 15 Chinese nationals who were caught illegally working as warehouse workers.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the Chinese were arrested at a business center in Barangay Niog II, Bacoor Cavite.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Regional Office 4-A.
“Our operatives saw 15 foreigners working in different warehouses in the area. Upon verification of their documents, it was found that 10 of them had working visas petitioned by a different company. That is a clear violation of immigration laws, hence they will be subjected to deportation proceedings,” he said
A report from the BI Intelligence Division showed that the foreigners were caught working as office staff and stock managers in the said warehouses.
The BI clarified that work visas are company and activity-specific, and may not be used to engage in other types of work for another company.
“Despite the pandemic, our intelligence teams are actively investigating reports of illegal aliens staying in our country. We urge foreign nationals to legitimize their stay here in the country, lest they face expulsion and blacklisting,” he warned.
The 15 will undergo RT-PCR testing and quarantine, and will temporarily be detained at the BI’s Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig pending deportation.