DINAPIGUE, Isabela—Eight foreign nationals were arrested in Dinapigue, Isabela, as part of the government’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reported that seven Chinese nationals and one Taiwanese national were apprehended on September 23 at a mining site in Sitio Dimakawal, Barangay Bukal Norte.

The operation was conducted by the BI Intelligence Division (ID) Regional Intelligence Operations Units (RIOU) in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 2 and 3, and the BI-ID Main Office, in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation–Isabela District Office, Philippine Navy, Philippine Army, Dinapigue Isabela Police Station, and government intelligence forces.

BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the arrests were based on intelligence reports that foreign nationals were engaged in copper and gold mining in the area.

The foreigners were apprehended for violations of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, including working without a permit or visa, being undocumented, and engaging in work outside their petitioning company.

“Illegal mining not only destroys our environment but also deprives our country of valuable natural resources,” Viado said. “Foreign nationals who come here to exploit our land without respect for our laws will face arrest, detention, and deportation. This is a clear message that the Philippines will not tolerate such activities.”

The arrests follow a recent BI raid at a mining site in Masbate, where nine illegal Chinese workers were also found conducting mining operations.

Viado emphasized that cracking down on foreigners involved in illegal mining is crucial to protecting local communities, preserving natural resources, and safeguarding national security from external threats.

The eight arrested foreigners were transferred to Manila for booking and are currently held at the BI detention facility in Taguig while deportation proceedings are ongoing.