PNP to public: Nothing to worry about influx of Chinese in Philippines

PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac. INQUIRER.net file photo / Cathrine Gonzales

MANILA, Philippines — The public has nothing to worry about in terms of security especially with the influx of Chinese nationals in the country, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday.

“Walang dapat ikabahala ang ating kababayan dahil ang ugnayan ng bansa at China ay patuloy na lumalakas. Ang kalakaran at turismo ay lalo lang lumalakas,” PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in an interview at Camp Crame.

(The public has nothing to worry about because the relationship between our country and China continues to be stronger. Trade and tourism are just becoming stronger.)

According to Banac, Chinese nationals must be flocking the country since it is a known destination for foreign tourists and Chinese workers.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon earlier expressed concern over the number of Chinese nationals here, which he said could reach hundreds of thousands.

Esperon said some of these Chinese nationals are undocumented and not registered as workers.

“Have they contributed to the economy, have they become threats?” Esperon said as quoted in a media report.

Banac, however, assured that the PNP will arrest any foreigner who violates the law.

“Kung sino man, maging turista o manggagawa, kapag lumabag na batas ay pinapanagot natin (Whoever the person is, whether he is a tourist or a worker, if he violates the law, we will hold him liable),” he said. /jpv

RELATED STORY:

No ‘tit for tat’ if illegal Chinese workers are deported, says embassy