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Friday, March 29, 2024

Fake tourists working illegally in Palawan

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Palawan province always welcomes visitors from all over the world, but residents of the world-renowned tourist destination are now anxious about the influx of unwanted guests.

The residents refer to the increased number of Chinese nationals who supposedly came as tourists but turned out to be employees of some online gaming casinos. They sought my assistance to bring their concern to the attention of proper authorities.

They said the Chinese nationals could easily reach 1,000 supposedly tourists billeted in various hotels in Puerto Princesa.

But when concerned locals watched closely the activities of the Chinese nationals, the latter were discovered to be working, mostly as call center agents for the online casinos. 

They found out, too, that the Chinese nationals do not possess proper work permits from the Bureau of Immigration. According to BI authorities, temporary work permits for skilled workers are good only for six months.

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A local informant said the online casino chain is operated by a Chinese national by the name of “Tony Sy” and caters to Chinese-speaking clientele overseas, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. Such gambling operation is prohibited in mainland China.

The Chinese gambling lord has allegedly operated his multi-million dollar business in Puerto Princesa for over a year through a Filipino dummy named “Arbiyola.” 

The locals are now asking why the authorities have allowed the employment of illegal workers at the online casinos.

One community leader said, “Para hindi magduda ang mga taga-Palawan, sa mga hotel nakatira ang mga illegal workers nang magmukhang mga turista at hindi pagdudahan. Minsan napapagkamalian pa na mga negosyanteng Koreano.”

He said agents of the National Bureau of Investigation once raided online casino joints at the second floor of a popular supermarket building in Puerto Princesa. But to everyone’s surprise, the horde of illegal alien workers were back to work the following day. “Ang tanong ng mga residente: Magkano ang dahilan?” said my informant.

A quick check with the Bureau of Immigration revealed that no work permits have been issued to Chinese nationals for employment in Puerto Princesa online casinos.

Immigration authorities also questioned the local government’s issuance of business permits to “Tony Sy” and “Arbiyola.”

Local residents denounced what appears to be a corrupt practice of tolerating the alleged operation of illegal online gambling operations in one of best island tourist spots in the world.

My informant said he also found out the said online casino firm indeed also has a PAGCOR Offshore Gaming Operation license. 

It looks more fun for illegal alien workers in Palawan.

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