301 Chinese nationals deported from Palawan

Puerto Princesa, Palawan (CNN Philippines, November 5)– The Bureau of Immigration on Tuesday has expelled 294 Chinese nationals for allegedly working illegally in the country.

In a statement, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said those deported were among the 328 foreigners who were arrested on September 16 in eight separate raids in hotels and establishments. Joining them are seven minors who were intercepted in the operations.

From Puerto Princesa International Airport in Palawan, the deportees took a flight from Puerto Princesa International Airport in Palawan to Xi’an Xianyang International Airport in Shaanxi province, China.

The Chinese workers were found without work permits or visas, Fortunato Manahan, Chief of BI’s Intelligence Division said.

The BI said that it is also processing the deportation of 17 more Chinese nationals. The bureau added 11 of them have pending cases, which need to be resolved before they could fly back to their country.

The Immigration bureau said that the 17 foreign nationals are currently detained at an inn in Puerto Princesa secured by military and immigration officials. They will be transferred to the BI detention facility in Taguig City.

Stringer Catherine Santos contributed to this report