BI nets 324 Chinese nationals ‘involved in illegal activities’ in Palawan

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 324 Chinese nationals were arrested in Palawan over their alleged involvement in cybercrime and other illegal activities, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Tuesday.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the Chinese nationals were arrested in eight hotels and establishments in Puerto Princesa City where they were caught doing illegal activities following reports from local officials on the prevalence of illegal Chinese workers in the city.

The BI, however, did not specify the said “illegal activities” committed by the arrested foreign nationals.

But authorities seized from their operations, hundreds of laptops, cellular phones, and gadgets. BI also said “many” of the arrested Chinese nationals failed to present their passports or any travel documents.

A team of BI prosecutors was already deployed in Palawan to investigate the case.

“They will undergo deportation proceedings for violating the conditions of their stay in the country and working here without permits. Initial reports indicate that most of these aliens are overstaying and undocumented,” the BI chief said. /kga