69 illegal foreign workers nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — Sixty-nine foreign nationals were arrested this week for working in the country without appropriate visas, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Thursday.

The joint task force of the BI and Clark Development Corporation (CDC) arrested the illegal foreign workers at Dongwang Clark Corporation and at the Clark Sunvalley Country Club in Angeles, Pampanga on December 10.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the task force initially invited 93 foreign nationals for questioning and verification of travel documents after they received reports that the foreign workers were using tourist visas to stay in the country.

Of the 93 foreigners, 69 were charged for violating Section 37 of the Philippine Immigration Act while the remaining 24 foreigners were released after presenting valid working permits.

According to the BI, out of the 69 foreigners, 45 were Chinese nationals and 24 were Korean nationals.

Morente said it was absurd that the foreigners were conducting their illegal operations near the vicinity of Philippine Immigration Academy.

The illegal foreign workers were transferred to the BI Warden Facility while their deportation proceedings are being processed. /ee