BI nabs 4 Chinese nationals for illegal employment

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested 4 Chinese nationals for allegedly engaging in employment not covered by the terms of their visa, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Tuesday.

According to the BI, its Intelligence Division led the arrest of the foreigners who were working at a construction facility in Minalin, Pampanga, which was an entity different from the legitimate employer listed in their visas.

The apprehended were identified as 39-year-old Ke Jinye, holding a visa issued through a firm based in Manila; Guo Yilan, 35; Chen Ligan, 47; and Huang Shuiron, 38, who were all working for the same employer.

"Foreign nationals are welcome to work in the Philippines, but they must strictly adhere to the conditions of their visa. Working for a company other than the one that petitioned them is a clear breach of our laws and is grounds for deportation," said BI Commissioner Joel Viado.

Viado stressed that the employment visas granted to foreigners are strictly employer-specific, and their unauthorized employment from other entities constitutes a violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.

READ: Authorities arrest 3 ‘fake’ Filipinos with PH papers

He further warned employers who were found to facilitate this illegal reassignment of foreign workers may face legal sanctions under existing immigration laws.

"We will not tolerate visa fraud or any attempt to circumvent immigration processes. Employers who misrepresent or reassign foreign workers without proper clearance will be held accountable," Viado said.

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The four Chinese persons are currently awaiting their deportation and the potential subjection to the BI's blacklisting which would restrict their future reentry into the country. —Nelson Caparas Jr., INQUIRER.net trainee /das

(2025/07/15-17:47)

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