Immigration authorities arrested 20 Chinese nationals working illegally at a shopping mall in Divisoria, Manila where they were caught in the act of selling retail goods to the public.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the alien traders were rounded up inside the 11/88 Mall along Reina Regente Street in Binondo and were brought to the BI Detention Facility in Bicutan, Taguig City where they are still detained.
Morente said the aliens would undergo summary deportation proceedings for working without permits and violating the conditions of their stay in the country.
The BI chief said most of those arrested were tourist visa holders and were not supposed to engage in gainful activity in the country.
BI Acting Intelligence Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said that the operation was conducted due to complaints received by the bureau about the presence of foreigners inside the said mall who openly sell retail goods to the public.
“We will recommend to our legal division the filing of deportation charges against them for violating our immigration laws,” Manahan said.
Initial investigation has shown some of those arrested are already overstaying while others appear to be undocumented for failing to produce their passport and visa.