The Philippine Bureau of Immigration recently raided the headquarters of telecom giant DITO Telecommunity in Taguig City's BGC, arresting 39 Chinese nationals on site for not possessing valid work visas or special residence permits. This law enforcement action quickly sparked social debate, with the legality of foreign workers once again becoming a focal point of public concern.
This raid was led by Fortunato "Jun" Manahan, head of the Intelligence Division of the Bureau of Immigration. The action stemmed from an anonymous tip on social media, alleging that there were up to 400 Chinese employees inside DITO, most of whom had not legally obtained work qualifications. Following the report, the Bureau swiftly deployed personnel to verify the situation on the ground.
DITO Telecommunity is the third largest telecommunications operator in the Philippines, founded by Dennis Uy, a close associate of former President Duterte, and closely cooperates with Chinese capital. Due to its strategic nature and Chinese capital background, DITO has been repeatedly questioned by the outside world regarding the legality and transparency of its employment of foreign workers.
According to the Bureau's on-site investigation, the arrested Chinese nationals were unable to provide valid visas or labor permits, suspected of violating the Philippine Immigration Act and related labor regulations. Manahan pointed out that preliminary investigations have found that some employees may have entered the Philippines through illegal intermediaries, and there are suspicions of "nominal companies" or illegal outsourcing operations.
The Bureau has now initiated a comprehensive investigation to trace the entry paths of these employees, their employment contracts, and whether there is organized illegal labor input. Once illegal activities are confirmed, the individuals involved will be deported, and DITO may face administrative penalties or even criminal accountability. Relevant regulatory bodies will also consider whether to suspend some of the company's operations until compliance is rectified.
This incident has once again sounded an alarm in Philippine society—between national security and economic interests, the legal employment and scrutiny system of foreign workers urgently needs to be strengthened and standardized. The Bureau of Immigration emphasizes that it will continue to enhance law enforcement efforts, eliminate "nominal employment" and illegal migrant worker issues, and ensure that national regulations are not undermined.
