(Photo courtesy of Paocc)
MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested 13 Chinese nationals on Wednesday for illegal mining on Homonhon Island in Eastern Samar.
Based on an initial report from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc), the 13 foreigners were arrested at around 9:00 a.m. after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued a mission order for violation of immigration laws.
The suspects were apprehended in two separate joint operations carried out by the Paocc, BI, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
(Photo courtesy of Paocc)
Paocc said a case build up will commence against the foreigners for possible violations of environmental laws, violations of labor laws for illegally acquired alien employment permits, and violations of taxation laws due to fraudulent tax identification numbers.
All 13 foreigners were brought to the PNP Regional Office in Palo, Leyte for medical examination and detention.
They will be brought to Manila for further investigation by the BI.