Senate resumes probe on influx of Chinese workers to PH

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development on Thursday resumed its probe on the influx of Chinese illegal workers in the country.

The Senate panel, headed by Senator Joel Villanueva, held its first hearing last Nov. 26 after the arrest of 93 Chinese nationals in an illegal gambling center in Pasig City.

The resumption of the probe came in light of recent incidents involving Chinese nationals including that of a woman who threw “taho” at a police officer at MRT-3, and a man who allegedly molested three women at an amusement park in Pasay City.

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Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente were present at Thursday’s hearing.

Among resource persons invited to the hearing were Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Cesar Dulay, who was represented by lawyers from the Legal and Legislative Commission; Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Chair Andrea Domingo, represented by Offshore Gaming Senior Manager Victor Padilla.

Police officials invited were Senior Supt. Romeo Espero Jr., chief of the Foreign Liaison Division; Chief Supt. Ferdinand Divina, Deputy Director of Directorate for Intelligence; and Chief Supt. Joselito Daniel, Deputy Director for Police Community Relations.

Villanueva and Senator Grace Poe earlier called for an urgent “crackdown” on foreign nationals working illegally in the country amid a perceived influx of Chinese into the Philippines. /cbb

READ: Villanueva, Poe want crackdown on illegal foreign workers in PH