Misamis oriental: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday denied allegations of discrimination in the recent joint law enforcement operation at a steel plant in Misamis Oriental that led to the arrest of 69 Chinese nationals.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that the operation was executed based on a court-issued warrant and validated complaints involving immigration, labor, and public safety violations. "The Philippine National Police categorically denies any claim of discrimination regarding the recent joint operation in Misamis Oriental," he said in a statement. "Our personnel acted strictly based on a lawful, court-issued search warrant to address specific complaints on immigration violations, labor laws, and public safety issues involving hazardous materials."
The statement followed concerns raised by the Chinese Embassy over the alleged targeting of Chinese workers during the May 15 raid at the Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation plant inside the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Tagoloan town. Nartatez emphasized that the operation was driven by evidence and not by the nationality of those involved. "We do not look at nationality, we look at the violations committed," he said.
The raid was conducted jointly by the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, National Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement units. Authorities disclosed that 69 undocumented Chinese nationals and one Filipino were allegedly found working illegally at the facility. Experts from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) also detected radioactive materials in several areas of the plant. Investigators indicated that the facility allegedly used scrap materials imported from China contaminated with hazardous radioactive substances, including uranium 238, thorium 228, and thorium 232.
The arrested foreign nationals are now under government custody and may face charges for violations of Republic Act 12305, or the Philippine Nuclear Energy and Safety Act, Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act, Presidential Decree 442 or the Labor Code, and immigration laws. Nartatez reiterated the PNP's commitment to protecting foreign workers and investors operating legally in the country, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
