The agreement was signed on Thursday, June 20, 2024, by Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres (seated, second from left) and Ceclio K. Pedro (third from left), the federation president. —Photo by Tetch Torres-Tupas, INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) signed a memorandum agreement with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. on Thursday streamlining the deportation of Chinese nationals held in immigration detention facilities in the country.
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres signed the agreement with the federation president, Cecilio K. Pedro.
The agreement obligates the DOJ to “ensure full compliance” of the detained Chinese to its processes for deporting them back to the People’s Republic of China, the DOJ said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the federation will provide air transportation for the detainees.
READ: President Marcos Jr. cites FFCCCII’s ‘high-impact’ socio-civic projects, importance of PH-China ties
READ: Escudero urges Fil-Chi communities to help ease tension in West Philippine Sea
Andres said the agreement would “greatly aid” in decongesting immigration detention facilities and speed up deportation.
Andres thanked the group, noting how the partnership would strengthen ties between Filipinos and Chinese in the Philippines.