The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has raised concern after almost 80 Chinese nationals were taken into custody for allegedly working at a factory in Bulacan without the necessary documents.
According to the NBI, its Bulacan District Office received an intelligence report indicating that many Chinese nationals were working illegally at the factory located at Sitio Complex, Brgy. Sto. Cristo, San Jose del Monte.
In an operation with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the NBI took custody of undocumented employees, employees working under a tourist visa, and six company officials.
During the joint operation on Thursday, 79 Chinese nationals were rounded up. Among them, 36 were found to be undocumented, while 23 were only holding tourist visas.
“We have some persons that have legal working permits and some who are still in the process of applying for the permit. And some they don’t have… just sending the documents and the passport to the third party,” an employee said.
The NBI said it would charge whoever hired the foreigners and that it would coordinate with the BI on an investigation into how the foreign nationals arrived in the country.
“It is alarming… First, this corporation may be legitimate but then they are employing Chinese people when they could have fired Filipinos, so Filipinos are being prejudiced because one of the reasons why they can hire foreigners is if Filipino skills could not take it, but then we saw that they were just making large pipes,” NBI Director Jaime Santiago said.
“Why do they need to be foreigners? They will be held answerable… Our operatives will not stop seeking out these kinds of companies,” he added.
The apprehended individuals were transported to the NBI headquarters in Quezon City by bus, including six officials from the raided company, which allegedly manufactures water pipes for a water concessionaire.
“For these undocumented foreign workers in the Philippines, it is possible that they are victims of trafficking,” NBI Bulacan chief Attorney Emilito Santos said.
The arrested individuals defended themselves, claiming that the paperwork for some of their colleagues were still being processed.
The BI is preparing charges for violations of immigration laws against those found to be working illegally in the country.
Meanwhile, the NBI is investigating whether there are any violations of Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) at the raided establishment.
