The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested eight foreigners engaged in illegal mining activities in Isabela province, officials said Thursday.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the suspects as seven Chinese nationals and one Taiwanese, caught mining copper and gold in Sitio Dimakawal, Barangay Bukal Norte, Dinapigue.
The foreigners were found to be working without proper permits or visas and were undocumented, violating the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.
“Illegal mining not only destroys our environment but also deprives our country of valuable natural resources,” Viado said. He added that violators would face arrest, detention, and deportation.
The crackdown follows a similar BI raid in Masbate, where nine Chinese nationals were arrested for illegal mining.
