MANILA – Immigration authorities have arrested seven Chinese nationals for illegally working at a quarry in Batangas province.

In a news release on Thursday (30 May 2024), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) stated that the operation initially aimed to apprehend Wang Zhenglai, 34, who possessed a working visa but was found to have been petitioned by a fake company.

During the operation, officers from the BI’s Regional Intelligence Operations Unit and the Taysan Municipal Police Station also apprehended six other Chinese nationals working illegally in the same area. The individuals were identified as:

•             Wang Shou Min, 67
•             Gao Zhengyao, 47
•             Wang Yongshang, 31
•             Song Ke Wei, 33
•             Cai Wenbi, 33
•             Huang Hai Min, 39

Of the six, five held 9  working visas but were petitioned by companies based in Quezon City, while one was found working with a tourist visa.

Further investigation revealed that Wang Shou Min, the “big boss” of the mining operation, is the father of Zhenglai.

Commissioner Norman Tansingco emphasized that working visas are both company-specific and location-specific.

He warned that foreign nationals possessing working visas petitioned by fake companies or those working in unauthorized locations could face deportation.

The arrest was based on intelligence reports about illegal mining activities involving Chinese nationals.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — National security takes precedence over tourism profits.

This is the stance of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) as its spokesperson Dana Sandoval on Sunday (12 May 2025) said that while tourism is very important to the Philippine economy, the government also needs to implement stricter measures to protect the national interest.

“We also have to look into the national security issue, the safety of the country. Kung merong mga ilegal na ginagawa [if there are illegal activities], I think it’s also important to have strict measures kung may nakikita na tayo na kakaibang nangyayari [if we see anything different happening] or mga activities that are probably inimical to national security or public interest,” Sandoval said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

She clarified her reaction to the statement of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) that tighter visa rules for Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines could “discourage tourism and hurt businesses.”

Sandoval pointed out that the BI has always been strict in inspecting arriving foreign nationals, particularly those involved in illegal activities.

Amid a high number of fraudulent applications received in its embassy and consulates in China, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) moved to tighten the Philippines’ visa requirements for Chinese tourists.

“Nakikita natin na malaking bagay ang karagdagang paghihigpit ng DFA doon sa pag-iisyu ng visa [the DFA’s tighter restrictions on visa issuance as a big thing]. It’s really an added layer of security in assessing arriving, incoming passengers,” the BI spokesperson said.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Deprived of any compensation for their work as club waitresses in Malaysia, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco has revealed that two Filipina victims were assisted by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIA-TFAT) for their repatriation.

On Monday (December 25), Tansingco said the two Filipinas who were victims of human trafficking in Malaysia had returned to the Philippines in time for Christmas.

It was learned that the repatriated individuals, whose names were withheld by BI, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on December 20.

The victims said they left the Philippines earlier this year via a boat trip through the Palawan-Kudat route because they were “enticed by promises of employment as waitresses in clubs.”

“One of them even faced further distress when she expressed her desire to return home. Instead of letting her go, her employer reported her to Malaysian authorities for working without a proper visa, resulting in her detention,” Tansingco said.

He underscored the situation of the victims should serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were improperly documented and the urgent need for comprehensive measures to prevent human trafficking.

“They find themselves at the mercy of unscrupulous employers without the protection of legal contracts. The lack of formal agreements leaves them susceptible to exploitation and abuse,” Tansingco lamented.

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Amid the surge in passenger arrivals in the country’s airports, which is higher than last year, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Monday commended the professionalism and commitment of BI personnel for staying on duty this holiday season.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco noted that 59,541 passengers touched down on December 22 and 58,993 on December 23.

“We commend our frontline personnel who remain on duty and sacrifice time with their families during the holidays to be able to service the traveling public,” the BI chief said.

He disclosed that the figure was higher than the 51,390 arrivals last Dec. 1.

“All hands on deck for our immigration officers,” Tansingco said.

Assuring that the BI has more manpower deployed, Tansingco advised that passengers use the e-gates at the airports for smooth processing.

(IAmigo/MNM)