BI vows crackdown on illegal aliens

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has vowed to intensify its campaign this year against illegal aliens, especially those who operate unlawful businesses in the country that affects local retailers due to unfair competition.

BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said they would double their efforts against foreigners with illegal businesses here to protect the interest of legitimate businesses.

“We cannot allow undocumented aliens to rob our legitimate retailers of their livelihood. Each undocumented alien doing illegal trade here practically deprives a Filipino retailer’s family of good food, education and even comfortable shelter,” he stressed.

Libanan said he has instructed BI intelligence operatives to conduct surveillance operations in various flea markets all over the country where illegal aliens have reportedly been carrying on unauthorized trade.

“We have received reports that some foreigners are not only using Filipinos as fronts for their businesses in the Philippines, but in some instances, they are even selling sub-standard merchandise at lower costs than those certified by the Philippine Department of Trade,” the BI chief revealed.

The country’s retail industry virtually serves as the backbone of the country’s economy.  It was learned that the industry loses billions of pesos every year due to unfair competition from aliens doing illegal trade.

Libanan said he also obtained the support of local businessmen when he signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) to help each other in the strict enforcement of immigration laws.

The BI started its campaign against illegal aliens engaged in illegal businesses last September with the arrest of 13 Indian nationals who are in the “5-6” money lending business.

“While we will try our best to be a warm and friendly host country to foreigners who would like to visit or invest in the Philippines, we will also be strict in the enforcement of our immigration laws and apply the full force of the law against those who violate it,” Libanan stressed.

In an Aug. 24, 2007 letter to Secretary Ronaldo Puno of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Libanan requested that a Memorandum Circular be issued to all local government units to observe the restrictions stated in the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000. 

His request resulted in the DILG Secretary’s issuance of DILG Memo Circular No. 2007-90.

Based on the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, foreign enterprises or those owned by foreign businessmen who want to engage business in the country must invest at least $2.5 million.