38 more Chinese illegals arrested in Bataan

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested 38 more Chinese nationals allegedly engaged in online gambling at the Bataan Freeport Zone (BFZ).

Members of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in coordination with China police attaché Senior Supt. Fu Yun Fei and Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) administrator Emmanuel Pineda conducted the operation on Tuesday.

Immigration Spokesperson Atty. Ma. Antonette Mangrobang said the Chinese nationals are undocumented aliens posing risk to public safety and security.

The total number of arrested Chinese from the BFZ rose to 55 after operatives of the FSU initially apprehended 17 other Chinese nationals earlier in the day.

READ: 17 undocumented Chinese nationals arrested in Bataan

Mangrobang said all the 55 Chinese nationals will be facing summary deportation proceedings after the Chinese government cancelled their passports for their involvement in economic crimes.

Among the 38 arrested Chinese nationals have been identified as Wang Zhimin, Lim Junle, Zheng Jianyu, Lin Bing, Lin Jiali, Wang Xinwei, Zheng Binlin, Cai Zhihai, Fang Jun, Chen Zhimin, Lin Qiang, Wu Jianping, Zhu Chenglong, Liu Min, Huang Jianhui, Chen Jiaofu, Liu Lijian, Liu Liquan, Liu Lichen, Liu Zhentao, Liu Litao, Lai Jiemin, Lin Wenbin, Lai Denghi, Zhang Depan, Yang Qian, Peng Shoukun, Ran Qiyi, Zheng Shihua, Li Yangheng, Lin Zhihui, Li Chao, Xu Liangxi, Yuan Maoxiang, Qiu Huasheng and Lin Xiaopeng.

“They will be brought to the BI detention center in Taguig,” BI FSU head Jose Carlitos Licas told reporters.

In November last year, the BI also arrested 1,316 illegal Chinese working in an illegal online gambling facility inside the Fontana Leisure Park of Chinese gaming tycoon Jack Lam in Clark Field, Pampanga.

The issue became more controversial after two erstwhile BI officials—Associate Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles—allegedly extorted P50 million from Lam in exchange for the release of his workers.

READ: Aguirre bares bribe offer for release of 1,316 Chinese

The two officials were immediately dismissed from their posts by President Rodrigo Duterte. IDL