MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday it is willing to support the Bureau of Immigration (BI) should it decide to pursue an investigation on the legality of the presence of Chinese nationals in the country.
But PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde refused to comment on the pronouncement of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon that the increased presence of Chinese nationals in the country may be viewed as a security threat. Albayalde said it is up to the National Security Council to assess the situation.
“So far hindi natin alam [if it is a threat] because sila ang nakakaalam dyan. It’s national security adviser and also National Security Council [that will assess] kung talagang nakikita nilang threat,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
(So far we don’t know if it is a threat because it is up to them to say that. It’s the national security adviser and the National Security Council that will assess if it is really a threat.)
He said the Bureau of Immigration will also play a big role in identifying whether the Chinese nationals staying in the country are properly documented.
“I think kung may concern naman dyan, malaki ang role ng BI natin (I think if there is a threat, the BI will play a big role). Now if the BI will ask support from us, we are very much willing to verify,” he said, explaining that the police only have authority to ask for travel documents of foreigners who figure in a crime.
While refusing to give an assessment on the influx of Chinese in the country, Albayalde admitted that the “Chinese are everywhere” and that some of them are involved in selling drugs and in online gaming. /muf
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