BI deports 2 Chinese in rice hoarding
By Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:48:00 05/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deported two Chinese nationals it said were involved in the hoarding and illegal trade of rice, and for violating the conditions of their temporary stay in the Philippines.
Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said Li Qiong Li, alias Zeny Uy, and Huang Xiu Run, alias Ting Ting Li, were sent back to Xiamen, China. The two entered the country as tourists on January 6, 2007.
Libanan said the Immigration Board of Commissioners issued against a summary deportation order the tow last April 18 for violating Philippine immigration laws against the two -- Li for overstaying, Huang for being an undocumented alien.
The two were also ordered to pay P50,000 each as additional penalty and were placed on the immigration blacklist as undesirable aliens.
"It is unlawful for any foreigner to engage in gainful activity here without the appropriate visa," the BI explained.
BI spokesman Floro Balato explained the two were subjected to deportation proceedings after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and an Isabela court gave their clearance.
He said it was better to deport the two rather then detain them here, where they can stay in contact with their accomplices in rice hoarding.
The two Chinese were arrested April 16 in Ilagan, Isabela. Arresting officers recovered 76 sacks of palay from the two and learned they were engaged in palay trading without authorization and license from the National Food Authority (NFA)
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo accompanied BI officials escort the two to their cells at the Immigration jail in Bicutan.
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