CEBU, Philippines - More than 60 Japanese nationals allegedly working illegally in a call center at the Cebu IT Park were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation-7 yesterday afternoon.
The NBI operatives raided the Japan Intertrade Callcenter Corporation, which was reportedly owned by Japanese nationals, by virtue of a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Monalila Tecson of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 1.
NBI-7 Assistant Regional Director Augusto Eric Isidoro said the operation stemmed from information they received that the Japanese nationals working in JICC do not have Alien Employment Permits from the Department of Labor and Employment-7.
Isidoro said they immediately conducted surveillance in coordination with the DOLE and the Bureau of Immigration which led to the application for the search warrant.
Isidoro said the Japanese nationals violated Section 40 of Presidential Decree 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines which provides that non-resident aliens who want to come here to work shall obtain an employment permit from DOLE.
Employers who wish to hire foreign workers area also required to get an employment permit.
During the operation, the Japanese nationals were not able to present any work permits to the NBI operatives; hence their arrest.
Filipinos also working in JICC were not arrested during the operation but were advised to go home after thorough inspection of the office.
The NBI operatives confiscated the computers, gadgets, and documents of the Japanese nationals for further investigation.
Meanwhile, Barangay Apas Captain Ramily Ayuman was surprised that there were foreigners working without permits in his barangay. He said he did not receive any complaint about the said matter.
DOLE and NBI representatives present during the operation refused to give any comment yet as they still have to wait for the final report from the NBI.
The arrested Japanese nationals may face charges before the court and may also be automatically deported even without administrative proceedings, Isidoro said.
Further, anyone who violates the provisions of PD 442 shall be sentenced to suffer three months to three years of imprisonment and/or a fine of P1,000 to P10,000. — /BRP (FREEMAN)