Duterte warns vs making ‘havens’ for illegal foreign workers

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte told real-estate developers on Wednesday that their buildings “should never serve as a haven” for undocumented foreign workers.

The President said this in his speech before a crowd of businessmen, most of them Chinese nationals, at the launch of flagship projects of the Golden Topper Group in Parañaque City.

“While I recognize the potential of these projects to help the Philippines withstand future challenges in the global [economic] setting, I nonetheless stress that your buildings should never serve as a haven for undocumented foreign workers or for the manufacture of and trafficking of illegal drugs,” the President said.

“This is in line with this administration’s unrelenting commitment towards the eradication of corruption and illegal drugs in this country. I am sure that [you are] with me in this drive, especially considering [that] criminality and illegal drugs are detrimental to the good business,” he added.

Duterte said this amid the growing concern over the influx of Chinese nationals mostly working for Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo).

They would often fill up hotel rooms and office towers, swamp condominiums and boost retail sales.

READ: Pogo workers in their midst: Notes from an ‘invasion’ 

China had earlier urged the Philippine government to “punish” Pogos, casinos and other forms of gambling entities illegally recruiting Chinese citizens.

China made the call as its embassy in Manila said a large number of Chinese citizens had been illegally recruited to work in the Philippine gambling industry with some “even lured into and cheated to work illegally with only tourist visas.”

/atm