China raises discrimination concerns over arrest of 69 nationals in Misamis steel plant raid

China has raised concerns over what it described as possible “discriminatory law enforcement” following the arrest of 69 Chinese nationals during a joint government raid on a steel company in Misamis Oriental last week. Speaking to reporters in Makati on Wednesday, May 20, Chinese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong questioned why all Filipino workers at the facility were released while all 69 Chinese workers remained detained. “This to us raises the suspicion of discrimination — discriminatory law enforcement practice,” he said. The workers were arrested during a May 15 operation conducted by Philippine authorities at the Philippine Sanjia-Steel Corporation in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. The operation was jointly carried out by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Air Force (PAF), and other agencies. Authorities accused the company of alleged violations involving hazardous materials, labor standards, immigration regulations, and consumer protection laws. ‘Not illegal workers’ However, Zhou strongly rejected allegations that the Chinese nationals were undocumented workers. “These are not illegal workers,” he said. “They are Chinese workers issued with proper visa or work permit to be hired by a Filipino company,” he added. The Chinese diplomat said Beijing’s primary concern was the safety and welfare of its citizens in the Philippines. “We request the Filipino authorities to clarify the legal ground of their detention,” Zhou said, adding that this concern had already been conveyed to Philippine law enforcement agencies. ‘Why only the Chinese workers?’ Zhou noted that around 400 people, including more than 300 Filipino workers, were present at the facility during the operation. He noted that all workers were initially ordered to remain inside the compound. However, the Filipino workers were later released while the Chinese nationals were...