11 undocumented Chinese nabbed in Bulacan mining site

DOÑA REMEDIOS TRINIDAD, Bulacan , Philippines   – Police arrested 11 suspected undocumented Chinese working at a mining site inside the mineral reservation area of the Biak-na-Bato National Park here over the weekend.

The suspects were identified as Zhang Baohui, 46; Chen Peiming, 56; Lu Gicai, 37 and Xie Han, 41 all of Fujien, China; Tean Wenwu, 35; Gong Youke, 33; Liu Jinfan, 42; Shou Tingjun, 46; Li Xaiaoshou, 40; all of Hobei, China; and Dai Youngzhoungh, 41; Feng Xiangjun, 38 from Jaingshou, China.

All suspects are working with Beijing Victory International Mining Co., a contractor of the Rosemoor Mining and Development Corp., a Filipino mining company based in San Miguel town.

The suspects were arrested by members of the Regional Mobile Group within the vicinity of the 10-hectare mining area of Rosemoor at Barangay Kalawakan here on Saturday due to the complaint filed by Rosemoor officials.

Zeny Pascual, an official of Rosemoor said that Chinese nationals have been working in their mining site for months.

However, some of them became abusive and poked guns at Rosemoor’s security personell guarding the mining site last week.

“Pinagtutukan ng baril at pinalayas yung mga guwardiya namin kaya tumawag na kami ng pulis,” said Pascual whose husband, Engr. Constantino Pascual, the former president of Rosemoor was killed in an ambush a year ago.

She said that members of the RMG came to the mining site on Saturday morning and invited the Chinese at Camp Olivas in Pampanga.

Superintendent Baltazar Mamaril, the spokesperson of the Central Luzon police office said they found out that the suspects have no working permits.

This was affirmed by Pascual who said that they rescinded their contract with BVIMC through a court order issued recently. –Dino Balabo and Ric Sapnu (The Philippine Star)