BI probes foreign traders, firms

DAGUPAN CITY—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) began investigating the activities of foreign businessmen in the western section of Pangasinan province, heeding a request made last month by the mayors of four major fish-producing towns.

Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste, his brother, Bolinao Mayor Arnold Celeste, Anda Mayor Aldrin Celdran and Sual Mayor Roberto Arcinue asked the BI to conduct a “background investigation on the presence of Taiwanese and Chinese nationals…to guarantee the legitimacy of their business establishments,” according to their letter to the agency.

The mayors said the request was part of their initiative “to continuously protect and conserve our coastal waters and resources, which now provide gainful employment and better opportunities to our constituents.”

“We are gathering evidence, and an inter-agency meeting has been held on what actions would be undertaken on the matter,” said Paul Versoza of the BI office in Pangasinan.

Arthur Celeste said “we do not know if aquaculture serves as camouflage for illegal activities…[such as] illegal drugs, human trafficking and money laundering.”

The fish industry of Anda, Bolinao and Sual contributes to the 150 metric tons of “bangus” (milkfish) harvested each day in Pangasinan, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Alaminos also produces bangus but not on the same scale as the three towns’ output.

ARTHUR CELESTE

Celeste said the mayors had provided a list of people and companies owned partly by Taiwanese, in the letter addressed to the BI office in Dagupan City. These people and enterprises were granted permits, however.

The mayors’ request had surprised and offended Taiwanese companies operating in the area.

Tony Chang, of Grobest Feeds Co. Inc., which operates in waters between Bolinao and Anda, said his company is legitimate and has all the permits for its fish cages in the area.

He said the firm also operates a commercial feed plant in Tarlac province. “Our company has similar businesses in Vietnam and Indonesia. We are a legitimate enterprise,” he said.

Versoza said the agency had placed many foreign investors under surveillance before the mayors made the request.

Speaking at a forum here, Versoza said many of the investors operate along the coastlines, putting the government on alert.