14 Korean nationals arrested for alleged illegal employment in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 14 Korean nationals were arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) over their involvement in alleged illegal back-office operation in Pampanga, the agency said on Friday.

According to the BI, authorities arrested 13 Korean men and one Korean woman last July 1 for allegedly operating a suspected unauthorized work facility in a condominium complex in Barangay Pampang, Angeles City.

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“Acting on the information, BI operatives immediately proceeded to the location, where they discovered 14 Korean nationals actively manning what appeared to be a back-office operation,” the BI said in a press release.

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The BI noted that the arrested Korean nationals underwent immigration verification and documentations after authorities saw indications they were involved in illegal employment.

“The 14 Korean nationals were brought to the BI Main Office for booking, biometric registration, records verification, and appropriate immigration proceedings. Authorities are conducting further investigation to determine the full extent of the operation and any possible violations of Philippine immigration laws,” the BI added.

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With this arrest, BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado warned against foreigners who will engage in unauthorized business ventures in the country. He then raised concern of the back-to-back operations as they may be linked to other unlawful activities.

“We will continue conducting intelligence-driven operations to identify these establishments, hold violators accountable, and ensure that the country’s immigration laws are strictly enforced,” Viado said in the same press release.  /jpv

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