13 Chinese nationals nabbed for illegal mining

Metro Manila, Philippines — Thirteen Chinese nationals have been arrested for illegally working in mining sites in Eastern Samar, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Sunday, Nov. 3.

The BI said the Chinese nationals, who were apprehended on Oct. 30, were working in two separate sites in Homonhon Island.

Of the arrested, 11 were issued working visas for a different company; one had a retiree’s visa; and the other one was an overstaying alien or non-Filipino citizen.

“Illegal employment undermines local laws and communities. We are committed to monitoring and addressing cases like these to protect our borders and environment,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said in a statement.

“The recent operation on Homonhon Island highlights our close coordination with national agencies to ensure compliance with our regulations,” he added.

The bureau has already launched a deportation case against the illegal workers, who are under the custody of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.

Homonhon residents earlier raised issues on water supply, electricity, and pollution triggered by mining activities.