Immigration eyes probe of Chinese nationals working in Misamis steel plant

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – The presence of several Chinese workers alleged to be working without work visas in a steel factory in Barangay San Martin, Villanueva town, Misamis Oriental has caught the attention of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) which is now investigating this matter.

According to Felipe Alano Jr., alien control officer BI in Cagayan de Oro, they had received information that these Chinese nationals have no necessary work permit.

Alano said they had an informant who provided information that at least 48 Chinese citizens are working at the Keim Hing Steel Corporation facility in that barangay.

The informant claimed the nationals had been staying in the steel plant for four years without detection and alleged that staff from the Bureau of Immigration in Cagayan de Oro were “paid off to keep it silent.”

Alano said they had earlier conducted an ocular inspection based on this information last month but were barred from the company to enter. Alano said he was able to see a two-story structure that appeared to be living quarters inside the facility.

The immigration officer said he will seek clearance from his office to further probe the company which he believes is hiding the Chinese.

“They are not being honest with us. They have the intention to defraud the government because they are hiding something,” Alano said.

Alano said other steel plants in the region, such as the Phil. Sanja Steel Corp. in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental and Mindanao Talakag Steel Corp. in Talakag, Bukidnon, have complied with BI and Department of Labor and Employment requirements for foreign workers.

The requirements include a working visa from the Bureau of Immigration and alien employment permit from the labor department. Foreigners issued a tourist visa are not allowed to work in the country.

Reports from the local government of San Martin said Keim Hing has been operating since 2016.

At present, there are about 800 Chinese nationals in Region 10, most of them working at the Alwana Business Park in Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro as employees of offshore gaming operations. (davaotoday.com)