Gov’t panel to meet amid alleged influx of Chinese students in Cagayan

The Inter-agency Committee on Foreign Students is set to hold a “special meeting” on either April 22 or 23, 2024, to discuss the reported influx of Chinese students in Cagayan province, according to Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-agency Committee on Foreign Students is set to hold a “special meeting” to discuss the reported influx of Chinese learners in Cagayan province, Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Monday.

Sandoval said the meeting is scheduled for either April 22 or 23.

“If I’m not mistaken, today (April 22) or tomorrow (Tuesday, April 23) ay magkakaroon po ng pagpupulong ang interagency upang i-discuss kung ano ang concerns na ito at ‘yung mga ways forward; kung ano ang kailangan natin i-strengthen in terms of coordination among each other; data sharing siguro na nakuha natin on the ground,” the BI official said in an interview over Radyo 630.

(If I’m not mistaken, the meeting will be held today, April 22, or tomorrow, Tuesday, April 23, to discuss these concerns as well as the ways forward; what must be strengthened in terms of coordination among each other; perhaps data sharing on what we got on the ground.)

READ: Some Chinese students in Cagayan allegedly pay P2 million to get degrees

Sandoval said the committee comprises officials from the BI, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

“Although regular naman po ‘yung mga pagpupulong ng inter-agency [committee] na ito, siguro this is a special meeting to discuss this concern lalo po’t medyo mainit ang concerns natin sa China because of this previous pangyayari that concerns them,” she said.

(Although this inter-agency committee meets regularly, maybe this is a special meeting to discuss this concern, especially since our concerns about China are high due to previous incidents that concern them.)

READ: Cagayan schools: ‘Baseless’ to say Chinese students threaten PH security

Several lawmakers have raised concerns on the reported increase in the population of Chinese students in Cagayan colleges and universities. This came amid heightened tension between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea.

Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph Lara and Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy V have filed separate resolutions seeking an investigation of the controversy.

Senators Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis “Chiz” Escudero have likewise sounded the alarm on the reported rush of Chinese students to Cagayan province, citing its possible implications on national security.