500000 foreigners who have stayed illegally for many years will be "amnesty"? 2 billion fine will the Philippine Immigration Bureau impose?

According to Philippine media, on August 8, the Philippine Immigration Bureau stated that it will propose amnesty for thousands of illegal and overstaying foreigners in the country, including POGO workers, and impose fines of more than 2 billion pesos on these people.

Daniel Laogan, deputy director of the Immigration Department, said that under the planned amnesty program, illegal aliens overstaying in the country will have to pay at least P25000 a year.

In an interview, Laogan said the amnesty program for illegal aliens would encourage foreigners who have been in the country illegally for several years to come out and register, legalizing their stay and avoiding arrest and deportation.

The Immigration Service estimates that more than 500000 foreigners are living in the country illegally, adding that legalizing these immigrants will benefit the country's economy with additional revenue.

Laogan said granting them amnesty would also protect them not only from corrupt immigration agents but also from law enforcement officers who victimize illegal aliens on protection money.

Immigration officials say a large number of foreigners-mainly Chinese, Indians and some South Koreans-have been in the country illegally for years.

"Some of them have become undocumented because their passports have been revoked."

He added that most illegal Indians are engaged in business, while Chinese seek work in shops, mining companies and restaurants.

he admitted that the bureau had submitted a draft recommendation on the matter to the department of justice, which was currently reviewing it.

On August 8, the head of the Philippine Immigration Department criticized the above statement, saying that it had only submitted a draft to the Department of Justice.