MANILA — Congress has been called upon to expedite the investigation into a Manila Bay reclamation project following the recent arrest of nine Chinese nationals, according to House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-List Rep. Erwin Tulfo. The individuals were apprehended after disembarking from a dredging vessel involved in the project.
According to Philippines News Agency, he filed a resolution last year to initiate a House probe into the Manila Bay reclamation, citing national security concerns after discovering that all workers on the project were Chinese nationals. The inquiry's urgency increased following the arrests, highlighting potential security risks. "This is what I was warning about," Tulfo said in a news release, referring to the presence of Chinese workers who, without visas, were found wandering around Metro Manila. The United States Embassy first raised concerns about the reclamation project after learning that a Chinese company, involved in contentious activities in the South China Sea, was managing the dredging and reclamation operations.
Bureau of Immigration Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. disclosed that surveillance and intelligence operations were swiftly launched upon receiving reports of Chinese individuals frequently moving to and from vessels in Manila Bay. The apprehended individuals ranged in age from 33 to 54.
In response to these security concerns, Tulfo, along with fellow ACT-CIS representatives Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, filed House Resolution No. 1171 in August 2023. The resolution calls for the House Committees on National Defense and Security, and Ecology, to thoroughly review the reclamation projects around Manila Bay. Tulfo stressed the importance of focusing on national security, noting the widespread presence of these individuals across the country.