Bureau of Immigration holds 48 Chinese

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday rounded up 48 Chinese on suspicion that they were working without a permit or visa. 

The 48 Chinese, suspected of working at a high-rise condominium in Pasay City, were brought to the BI headquarters allegedly upon orders given by Commissioner Jaime Morente, a source said.

Morente has ordered that no work permits would be issued to foreigners for blue-collar jobs following complaints that foreigners are taking over jobs meant for Filipinos.

“This is to ensure that these work permits are issued only to aliens whose jobs could not be performed by Filipinos,” he earlier said.