Authorities arrested nine Chinese nationals for reportedly working without work visas at an alleged illegal mining site in Aroroy, Masbate, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said the nine foreigners were apprehended last Sept. 22 by operatives of the bureau’s Regional Intelligence Operations Unit 5 (RIOU5) in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Illegal mining not only undermines our immigration and labor policies but also threatens the environment and the livelihood of local communities,” Viado said.
He also said the BI, with the support of other government agencies, will continue to ensure that violators are held accountable and the country’s resources are safeguarded.
The BI said that during the operations, RIOU5 agents found that the Chinese nationals – whose names were not disclosed — were engaged in mining activities without the appropriate visas or permits.
It also said that they were discovered to be overstaying or working in violation of their immigration status.
Those arrested are now detained at the BI’s facility in Taguig City pending their deportation. (Jeffrey Damicog)
