BI to check work visas of Chinese reclamation crews

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese nationals working on Manila Bay reclamation projects recently suspended by the government will be checked for work visas or permits, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) declared.

On Friday, personnel from the BI’s bay service section and intelligence division, as well as those from the Philippine Coast Guard, inspected three dredging vessels in Manila Bay near the reclamation area in Pasay City.

Upon inspection, they found Chinese nationals carried by the following vessels: M/V Mao Hua with 14; M/V Liang Long with 17 and M/V Jun Hai with 28.

Eight Filipino crew members were also onboard Mao Hua while Liang Long carried two Filipino crew members.

The Chinese nationals should be compliant with the Philippines’ immigration laws, according to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

While the BI has not reported its findings from Last Friday’s inspection, he said the inspections would continue in the next few days to ensure full compliance with immigration laws.

“We will be submitting a comprehensive report of our findings to the Secretary of Justice and will be penalizing any foreign national found to be working without proper documentation,” he stated in his statement yesterday.

The BI initiated the inspection after President Marcos suspended all reclamation activities in Manila Bay.

“Apart from the national government being concerned with the project, we also want to do our share by inspecting foreigners on board said vessels to confirm their compliance with immigration laws,” said Tansingco.