Sunday, August 19, 2007 Immigration looks into smuggling of Chinese workers into Clark
IMMIGRATION Commissioner Marcelino Libanan on Saturday said an investigation is held to see if there was collusion among some Clark Development Corporation (CDC) officials, the labor department, and the immigration bureau regarding the entry of 91 illegal Chinese workers at the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).
Immigration agents arrested on Thursday 91 Chinese nationals caught working illegally at the construction site of the Fontana Leisure and Development Corporation (FLDC) inside the CSEZ. Fontana operates a golf course, a casino and vacation villas in Clark.
Of the 91 illegal aliens, 63 were reportedly found to be working without permits while 28 others had job permits with descriptions that did not match their actual work. They are facing deportation proceedings.
Libanan, during the “The Cabinet Speaks” forum, said special prosecutors are investigating the FLDC government officials who may have a hand in the hiring of the Chinese nationals.
He warned CSEZ locators against abusing privileges given by the economic zone. He said ecozones can issue visas to investors and their immediate families, executives and highly technical workers.
Libanan also said he is coordinating with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to have the 91 Chinese nationals transferred to the BJMP penitentiary in Rizal because the Bureau of Immigration’s cell in Bicutan, Taguig is full.
He said the BI is renting space at the eighth floor of the BF Homes Condominium in the BI office to house the illegal aliens. (JMR/Sunnex)
