Gov’t won’t allow abuse of foreign workers in PH

MANILA -- The government will not allow any illegal act committed against foreign workers in the Philippines, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo condemned the report which showed that a 27-year-old Chinese national was handcuffed when he fell from the sixth floor of his office in Pamplona Dos, Las Piñas City on August 9.

“We condemn and we’re concerned about what happened and we condole with the victims of that person,” Panelo said in a media interview.

“We cannot allow any illegal act to make it in this country by any person whether foreigner or our own citizen against workers of another country working here,” he added.

Panelo earlier said that no one is exempted from the strict enforcement of Philippine laws.

Police suspected that the victim, Yang Kang, was being held prisoner by his employer while CCTV footage showed that he was peering out the window before he climbed out.

Panelo said the Bureau of Immigration should also establish guidelines in the hiring of foreign workers to prevent illegal recruitment.

“Diyan sa Immigration ‘yun (It’s up to the Immigration to decide on what to do). Kailangan kasi (They need it because) they come here compliant with the immigration laws, pag hindi (if not), we’ll have to run after them,” Panelo said.

Following concerns raised on the influx of Chinese nationals in the country, Panelo also denied that there was any shortcoming on the part of government in preventing illegal recruitment noting it has yet to be determined whether these foreigners are illegally staying in the country or not.

“That’s an impression. Hindi pa natin alam yun kung illegal kung pagpasok nila (We don’t know if they entered the country ilegally),” Panelo said.

“Ang alam natin, maraming Chinese ngayon (What we know is there are a lot of Chinese now). Whether they are illegally staying or extending their stay we have to receive a formal complaint para malaman natin (to find out),” he added.

Earlier, Panelo expressed concern on the influx of Chinese nationals in the country and urged the Bureau of Immigration to address this issue.

He also urged Chinese and other foreign workers to report to authorities acts committed by their employers that are in violation of the law. (PNA)