The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested seven Chinese nationals working at a quarry site in Taysan, Batangas.

According to Fortunato Manahan, Jr., head of the BI's intelligence division, the arrests were made during an operation conducted by the Regional Intelligence Operations Unit (RIOU) IV-A, in collaboration with government intelligence forces and the Taysan Municipal Police Station.

The operation was initiated based on intelligence reports indicating illegal employment of Chinese nationals in mining operations.

The primary target of the operation was Wang Zhenglai, 34, who reportedly held a working visa, which he allegedly obtained from a fake company. 

During the raid, authorities also apprehended six other Chinese nationals working illegally at the quarry.

Five of the workers arrested possessed 9(g) working visas, which are supposed to be specific to companies based in Quezon City. Another worker was found to be using only a tourist visa.

One of the individuals arrested, Wang Shou Min, 67, identified as the "big boss" of the mining operation, is the father of Wang Zhenglai.

Norman Tansingco, BI Commissioner, said it is important to follow the conditions of working visas, which are both company-specific and location-specific.

“Foreign nationals who possess a working visa but found to be petitioned by fake companies or caught to be working in other locations may face deportation cases," Tansingco said.

Tangsingco said using fake companies as petitioners is becoming a trend following the discovery of foreign nationals who used fraudulent documents to stay in the country.