22 Chinese with CEZA visas freed from PHL immigration custody; officials say release ‘unauthorized’

Immigration officials in the Philippines wants an investigation into the “unauthorized” release of 22 Chinese nationals, who presented CEZA visas to arresting agents. The Chinese nationals were among the 191 foreigners arrested on July 20 for allegedly not having work permits.

Another exciting week for online gambling in the Philippines. On Tuesday, Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials ordered an investigation into what they said was an unauthorized release of 22 Chinese nationals who were arrested for not having work permits. Here’s the catch: those foreigners already have special work visas.

The 22 were among the 191 foreign nationals arrested on July 21. Through its website, BI said these people were working as call center agents or online gambling operators in an office in Pasay City.

Of these 191 people, only 169 were brought to the BI offices in Manila, where 14 people managed to present valid work visas, leaving behind 155—mostly Chinese nationals—to face deportation charges for violating the Philippine Immigration Act, BI said in a statement.