After Pogo ban, Iloilo city dad eyes inventory of foreign nationals

POLICY ON FOREIGN NATIONALS. Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna says he is looking at the possibility of enacting an ordinance for an inventory of foreign nationals in Iloilo City during an interview on Tuesday (Aug. 6, 2024). Cabaluna said this would be the first step to monitor their presence and help the national government in going after foreigners engaged in illegal activities. | PNA FILE PHOTO / Perla G. Lena

ILOILO CITY — The chair of the committee on public safety at the Sangguniang Panlungsod is looking at the possibility of passing an ordinance to conduct an inventory of residents, boarders, and lessors in subdivisions and areas that are sometimes difficult to regulate as the first step to monitor the presence of foreign nationals.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution supporting the banning of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) last week.

However, Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna said they needed to look into data and privacy issues, which they would discuss with concerned parties like subdivision operators, homeowners, and developers.

“This is what we can contribute to translate to the actual policy that will deliver more or less regulatory powers for the city of Iloilo to monitor, check, and help our national agencies in case it (proliferation of foreigners) is proven,” he said in an interview on Tuesday.

He added they could assume there were illegal activities involving foreigners since there were two instances recorded here — the arrest of 17 Chinese nationals engaged in cybercrime in 2023, and the arrest of a Chinese national selling fake cigarettes.

Cabaluna said he wanted to know the developments of the two cases and to look into whether there was a bigger issue or a wider network.

“We wanted to know directly from the investigating agency if there’s reason really to move towards more stringent measures against foreign nationals operating here, especially those illegal businesses,” he added.

Cabaluna said concerned government offices should conduct close monitoring with local authorities, especially the Bureau of Immigration, which has the primary mandate to look into the presence of foreign nationals. (With reports from Grace Salumag – WVSU OJT/PNA