6 Illegal Alien Workers Arrested in Binondo Mall — 2 Claim to Be 'Filipino'

📌 On July 29, six foreign nationals working as store clerks at a mall in Binondo, Manila, were arrested during a Bureau of Immigration (BI) crackdown.
They were apprehended for violating visa conditions and the Retail Trade Act. Among them, two claimed to be of Philippine nationality, and the BI is currently verifying their identities.

■ Incident Details
· Following a tip-off that foreigners were engaging in unauthorized retail work, several shops inside a well-known mall in Binondo were raided.
· Six individuals were caught engaging in retail activities such as sales in the stores.
· The BI plans to file charges against them for violating the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.
· The nationalities of those arrested were not specified in the BI's press release.

■ Notice for Expats — Store Operation & Employment
· The BI announced it will step up inspections on foreigners working jobs not permitted by their stay status (visa).
· This crackdown targeted foreigners directly handling sales in stores as "retail workers." Helping out at a store on a visa that does not allow working, such as a tourist visa, can also be subject to enforcement.
· When operating a Korean-owned store or hiring foreign staff, make sure in advance whether your own and your employees' visa types permit those activities.

■ Sources
People's Tonight(8/7), Daily Tribune(8/7·8/8), Inquirer Global Nation, People's Journal