Chinese nationals’ illegal activities in Iloilo City unverified – PRO-6

By Jennifer P. Rendon and  Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The alleged presence and illegal activities of Chinese nationals in Iloilo City have been investigated, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 reported.

However, it remains a mere report yet to be substantiated.

Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, said he previously ordered the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) to monitor the presence of Chinese nationals potentially involved in illegal activities, particularly illegal gambling and offshore gaming.

The ICPO report, however, came back negative.

Wanky clarified this following Iloilo City’s lone district Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda’s statement that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed the presence of Chinese nationals allegedly involved in illegal transactions and businesses in the city.

Baronda, who had earlier written to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the matter, stated in a radio interview that NBI officials visited her office and provided information on the increasing number of Chinese nationals engaging in illegal activities in the city.

Baronda declined to give more details citing ongoing operations.

Wanky noted that police operatives regularly conduct intelligence fusion with other members of the intel community, including the NBI.

He added that he saw the PRO-6 intelligence division’s letter to the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Tourism requesting a record check on Chinese nationals arriving in the region.

“But unfortunately, the Bureau of Immigration, citing data privacy, did not provide any records,” Wanky said.

The region’s top cop said they relied on police troops on the ground to monitor the subdivisions where the alleged Chinese nationals were reported to be staying.

“But it turned out negative,” he stated.

Just last week, Wanky said the ICPO received a report about Chinese nationals renting a house in a subdivision in the Jaro district.

Allegedly, these individuals “come and go” at the said property. However, upon investigation, the group was identified as Filipinos involved in the IT business, such as computer and parts sales.

“There was no confirmation if they were Chinese because our operatives saw Filipinos,” he said.

They even recommended to the local government of Iloilo City to verify if the group is conducting a legal business.

“So, right now, we can say that there are reports about the Chinese presence, but it’s not confirmed,” Wanky said.

Given that the report is unsubstantiated, he said there’s no need for the creation of a task force for now.

“But we assure the public that our monitoring of this report is continuous,” Wanky said. He also asked the public to report any information about the activities of suspicious-looking individuals.

‘ARREST THEM’

“You do not telegraph your punches.”

This was the advice of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding their operations and investigations involving Chinese nationals allegedly engaged in illegal activities in the city.

Treñas said making the information public would hamper their operations, as there is a possibility these illegal immigrants might flee the city before being arrested.

While adhering to the legal process, the city mayor has called on the NBI to fulfill its role of investigating and arresting the individuals involved in illegal practices.

“They said that there are illegal activities, but if there is really something illegal that is being done, it is incumbent on the NBI to catch these people and arrest them. What are we still waiting for?” he emphasized.

Treñas pointed out that conducting an efficient and comprehensive investigation into specific high-profile cases is the responsibility of the NBI, and failing to arrest the suspects implies “you condone them.”

“As city mayor, if I discover that there is something illegal, I will immediately order their arrest,” he added.

The mayor also emphasized that the NBI and the Bureau of Immigration (BI), both agencies under the Department of Justice (DOJ), should work together to monitor and identify illegal immigrants operating in the city.

“It is the BI that knows who are illegally residing here, not me, not even the police,” he said.

Treñas called for the DOJ to coordinate with the BI and NBI to ensure every operation is well-coordinated.

Treñas mentioned that he is in regular communication with the newly installed director of the Iloilo City Police Office, Col. Kim Legada, to monitor illegal activities, including those involving foreign nationals.