QUEZON CITY (PIA) – Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco ordered BI personnel to inspect the dredging vessels at the reclamation sites in Pasay City following concerns on their activities in the area.

The inspection, done with the Philippine Coast Guard, was conducted by officers of the BI’s Bay Service Section and Intelligence Division.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. earlier ordered the suspension of reclamation activities in Manila Bay.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) likewise pledged to conduct community impact assessment to ensure that the reclamation will be implemented within the bounds of the law.

The inspection, said Tansingco, will be conducted to ensure that foreign nationals involved in the project are compliant with immigration laws.

“Apart from the national government being concerned with the project, we also want to do our share by inspecting foreigners on board said vessels to confirm their compliance with immigration laws,” said Tansingco.

He stated that foreign nationals that conduct commercial activities in the Philippines are required to secure a work visa or permit.

Tansingco said that as of Friday, the composite team were able to board and inspect three vessels namely MV Mao Hua with 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.

The inspections will continue in the next few days to ensure full compliance with immigration laws, according to the BI chief

“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 stated. (BI/PIA-NCR)