PH-China telco says BI claim inaccurate and unfounded

DITO Telecommunity refuted a press statement last June 2 by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) that it is employing “undocumented” Chinese nationals in violation of Philippine laws.

According to the statement that was released by the company just hours after the BI statement, DITO said the BI provided “misleading information” as its claim against those arrested was both “inaccurate” and “unfounded.”

In the statement on its website, the BI said its Intelligence Division conducted an operation at the office of a “major telecommunications company” based at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) on May 29 together with the Southern Police District (SPD) where they arrested 39 “foreign nationals—reportedly all Chinese” for allegedly working “in violation of Philippine immigration rules.”

DITO is a partnership between the Udenna Corporation of businessman Dennis Uy and China Telecommunications Corporation. It is the country’s third major telecommunications company after Globe Philippines and Smart Philippines.

“Foreign nationals who wish to work in the Philippines must comply with all our laws and procedures. Those who enter under false pretenses or switch employers without proper authorization will face the full force of the law,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado in the statement.

But according to DITO, those nabbed are “affiliated” with DITO’s accredited business partners.

“These individuals are bona fide employees of our business partners, who are visiting DITO’s office to render continuing technical support services to DITO and its Stand Alone 5G network pursuant to valid and existing service agreements with DITO.

“These foreign nationals are not employees of DITO. Their presence was strictly for the purpose of fulfilling contractually agreed technical and support obligations—an ordinary practice in infrastructure projects of this scale,” the company pointed out.

DITO also expressed confidence that the incident would soon be resolved in its favor.

“We are confident that once the appropriate proceedings are completed, the Bureau of Immigration’s records will reflect that the individuals in question possess the required visas, and work permits to lawfully work in the Philippines.

“DITO Telecommunity remains committed to full compliance with Philippine laws and continues to work closely with all relevant government agencies on this matter,” it added.