BI revokes working visa of 528 foreigners

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI)  canceled the working visa of 528 foreign workers due to misrepresentation and fraud.

BI chief Jaime Morente made the announcement on Tuesday after the agency conducted two separate post-audits of visa applications of six target companies.

“These are just six companies, we expect to uncover more in the next few months,” said Morente in a statement.

“We need everybody’s help.  Filipinos as well as legally staying aliens must report illegal foreigners in their area, and you can be assured that we will act on your reports,” he added.

Morente pointed out that the foreign employees submitted fake Alien Employment Permits (AEP).

The AEP is a permit issued by the Department of Labor and Employment and is a requirement in applying for a work visa with the BI.

The BI canceled the working visa of 259 Indians, 230 Chinese, 14 Koreans, 11 Japanese, 5 Taiwanese and 3 Vietnamese workers along with a German, Burmese, Nigerian, Nepalese, Sudanese and a Yemeni.

The six companies involved were not named, pending further investigation.

Morente, however, said that the companies are based in Manila, Parañaque, and Caloocan, and involved in consultancy, residential sales, tutorial, and information technology.

“I am appalled to learn of big companies that blatantly disregard our laws and submit fake documents. These companies knowingly hire illegal foreign workers that take away jobs from Filipinos and law-abiding foreigners,” Morente said.

The Intelligence Division already recommended the cancellation of the BI permits of the accredited agents who processed the applications of the 528 individuals.

The foreigners with spurious documents, Morente said, will be expelled and blacklisted.

“The BI, through the Intelligence Division, is revitalizing its campaign of eradicating illegal foreign workers in the country. It will be a campaign that will be felt nationwide, and you can expect more arrests and cancellations in the next few months,” Morente said. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)