VIOLATORS TO FACE DEPORTATION. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III attends a virtual presser in Malacañang on Tuesday (June 2, 2020). Bello said Chinese nationals operating illegal health facilities in the country could face deportation. (Screenshot)
MANILA – Chinese nationals operating illegal health facilities in the country could face deportation, two Cabinet officials said on Tuesday.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this comment following reports of Chinese-run illegal hospitals and pharmacies which were recently raided by law enforcement authorities.
“When you are caught violating the laws of the country, ang (the) immediate action diyan is deportation. Now, when it comes to deportation, only the Department of Justice (DOJ) can answer that,” he said in a virtual presser in Malacañang.
Roque echoed Bello’s statement, saying foreigners could be sent back to their countries should they meet the grounds for deportation.
“Kung ikaw ay isang dayuhan at nahuli na may ginagawang krimen, isang option po is immediate deportation (If you are a foreigner and you were caught committing a crime, one of the options is immediate deportation),” Roque said in the same virtual press conference.
He said deportation will have to follow processes under the Bureau of Immigration (BI), an attached agency of the DOJ.
“Meron pong proseso na dapat sundin bago sila finally ma-deport. Yung declaration of being undesirable alien kung sila ay may papel o di naman kaya kung talagang illegal deportation for lacking papers to remain in the country (There is a process we have to follow before they are deported. The declaration of being an undesirable alien or deportation for lacking papers to remain in the country),” he said.
Last May 21, Roque assured the public that the Chinese nationals illegally operating a makeshift medical facility in Clark, Pampanga will face charges.
He said they could face charges for violation of the Medical Act also known as Republic Act 2382 and the Food and Drug Administration Act (Republic Act No. 9711).
Less than two weeks after an underground hospital was raided, a similar facility also being operated by Chinese nationals was discovered in Pampanga. (PNA)
