TACLOBAN CITY — Bureau of Immigration (BI) intelligence operatives arrested 12 Chinese nationals for working illegally at an internet service provider company along Maharlika Highway in Brgy. 95-A, Caibaan, Tacloban City on October 15.

BI Intelligence Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the foreigners were caught operating the business alongside Filipino employees. The operation, conducted by the BI Intelligence Division and Regional Intelligence Operations Unit 7, involved coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police–Regional Office 8, Philippine Army, and other government intelligence agencies.

The mission initially targeted nine individuals under a mission order issued by BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, but inspection revealed 12 Chinese nationals without proper visas and permits.

Manahan noted that the BI had been monitoring the foreign nationals since February, and the arrests followed confirmed evidence of illegal activity in the area.

Commissioner Viado highlighted the bureau’s ongoing nationwide enforcement. “Our operations are not limited to Metro Manila. We continue to work closely with local law enforcement and the intelligence community to locate and apprehend illegal aliens hiding in other regions of the Philippines,” he said.

All 12 suspects were flown to Manila and are now detained at the BI Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig.