In response to the recent arrest of 42 Chinese nationals in Alabat Island, Quezon Province, Governor Helen Tan held a press conference today to formally respond, clarifying that these workers are not involved with offshore gaming operations (POGO), but are employed by the local Alabat Wind Power Project under construction.
Governor Clarifies: Workers are indeed employees of the wind power project
At the press conference, Governor Tan presented project documents confirming that these Chinese workers were recruited by the main contractor "Jeddy" through subcontractors, originally planned to participate in the construction of the wind power project scheduled for completion in November 2025. "I can responsibly confirm that these personnel have no association with any gambling activities," emphasized Governor Tan, "They are legally employed as technical workers on the energy project."
Visa issues reveal management loopholes
However, investigations revealed that some workers had expired visas, and their work permit status is yet to be verified. Governor Tan admitted that the local government had not received prior notification about the entry of these foreign workers. "This reflects significant lapses in labor management by the contractor," she stated, "We have requested Jeddy and its partners to submit a complete employment documentation within 24 hours."
Joint investigation by multiple departments underway
Currently, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) of the Philippines has established a special investigation team to thoroughly check the entry records, visa status, and work permits of the arrested individuals. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also indicated that it would participate in the investigation to verify whether the project complies with foreign labor employment regulations.
Governor Tan stressed that the Quezon provincial government will fully cooperate with the national departments' investigations: "We need to ensure the smooth progress of major infrastructure projects, while also ensuring that all foreign workers in the Philippines fully comply with Philippine laws and regulations. Any violations will be dealt with according to the law."
Urgent need to strengthen industry standards
This incident has sparked widespread discussion about the management system of foreign workers in large projects in the Philippines. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla stated that he would review the foreign labor situation in all energy projects and demanded that all contractors strictly comply with labor visa management regulations.
As of press time, the main contractor Jeddy has not yet issued an official statement. Industry insiders pointed out that this incident could affect the international image of the Philippines' renewable energy projects, highlighting the urgent need to establish a more standardized management system for foreign technical workers.
