Manila: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the recent arrest of four Chinese nationals in two successive operations conducted by its Regional Intelligence Operations Unit (RIOU) in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. The arrests were made in compliance with Philippine immigration laws and following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure foreign nationals adhere to these regulations.

According to Philippines News Agency, the BI reported that the foreigners were apprehended on November 6. The initial operation led to the arrest of Jiang Zhengwei, 43, and Chen Zhengji, 41, at a restaurant in Barangay Bayog. Both individuals were found to be employed by companies other than their registered petitioning employer and had neglected to report their change of residence, both of which are violations of immigration laws in the country.

The second operation resulted in the arrest of Li Shihan, 45, and Long Liao, 33, in Barangay Poblacion. Similar to the first pair, these individuals were also working for a company located in Ilocos Norte, despite being petitioned by another firm based in Taguig City. The four Chinese nationals were duly informed of their constitutional rights and were subsequently taken into BI custody for further booking, documentation, and verification procedures at the BI Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig City.

The operations were executed by the BI RIOU 1 (Ilocos Region) and the main office, in collaboration with the Philippine Navy, the National Bureau of Investigation Laoag, and the Burgos Municipal Police Station.