Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12) — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has inspected dredging vessels in reclamation sites in Manila Bay following concerns about the activities of foreign crews in the area.
The BI said it conducted the inspection with the Philippine Coast Guard on Friday to ensure foreign nationals involved in the activities are compliant with immigration laws.
The inspection is expected to continue over the following days.
As of Friday, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said inspectors boarded three vessels: MV Mao Hua which has 14 Chinese nationals and eight Filipino crew; MV Liang Long with 17 Chinese nationals and two Filipino crew; and MV Jun Hai 5 with 28 Chinese crew.
“We will be submitting a comprehensive report of our findings to the Secretary of Justice and will be penalizing any foreign national found to be working without proper documentation,” he said.
Tansingco said foreign nationals that conduct commercial activities in the Philippines are required to secure a work visa or permit.
House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo has warned about possible security threats after crew members of Chinese vessels docked in Manila Bay were seen being transported to areas around the bay.
In February, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) launched an investigation into “suspicious” activities of 10 foreign vessels, most of which were Chinese, in Philippine waters.
Marina said the vessels conducted dredging and reclamation activities for the Pasay Reclamation Development Project.
Some of them were also identified to have sailed and operated outside their approved areas of operation, particularly the areas of Nasugbu, Batangas, and Ambil Island in Occidental Mindoro.
Lawmakers have also raised concerns over the reclamation project involving a Chinese firm that helped Beijing construct and militarize artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.
It was first flagged by the US Embassy, saying the company supposedly engages in “fraudulent business practices.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the suspension of activities of all reclamation projects at Manila Bay pending review.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said there are roughly 22 projects in the area that are under evaluation.
