MANILA – Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents arrested 154 Chinese nationals for possible violation of immigration laws and alleged involvement in illegal online gambling in Pampanga Friday night.
Chinese citizens apprehended during a raid of the suspects’ rented unit at the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Dong Gwang annex bldg. in Clark Field, Angeles City”, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.
Members of the BI Intelligence Division and Angeles City Police Office, led by Sr. Supt Sidney Villaflor conducted the raid.
The arresting agents were armed with a mission order from the BI chief after the aliens’ presence in the building was confirmed as a result of intensive monitoring for several weeks.
“The sustained effort to weed out illegal immigrants and undocumented foreign nationals continues to gain ground with the help of our partners in law enforcement and the community,” Morente said in a statement.
The arrested Chinese nationals would undergo summary deportation proceedings for violating the conditions of their stay in the Philippines and for engaging in activities inimical to the public interest.
BI Spokesperson Atty. Antonette Mangrobang explained that the mission order had directed the Intelligence Division to conduct operations and verify the status of subjects.
The Chinese nationals are confined in an Immigration facility in Clark.
(PNA)
