Palace: Zambales local gov’t should take responsibility for illegal dredging by Chinese nationals

Malacañang on Thursday took the Zambales local government to task for the illegal sand dredging activities of Chinese nationals  in the province.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported that its agents arrested on Wednesday seven male Chinese nationals in Masinloc, Zambales for working without proper visas and engaging in illegal sand dredging activities.

“The Zambales government should have done something about it,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference.

Panelo said the arrested Chinese nationals should be prosecuted.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the foreigners violated the country’s immigration laws, the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and Executive Order 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987.

?“They are seriously threatening national security and interest by stealing our minerals and resources,” he said. — MDM, GMA News