CAGAYAN PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it will collaborate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to probe a rise in Chinese students in Cagayan’s higher education institutions.

The Philippines accepts foreign students and issues student visas to learners enrolled in higher education institutions. 

Applicants for student visas may have to submit supporting documents from the Commission on Higher Education, the National Bureau of Investigation, and their schools.

“The AFP takes [any report] seriously, so we are looking into this, but in terms of peace and order issues po, that is the mandate of the PNP so that we will be working with them closely on this matter,” Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said.

“We will defer to our troops in the areas to recommend how to go about the situation,” she added. Later in the day, the PNP said that the Commission invited Chinese students to Higher Education (CHED).  

“Yung kanilang probinsya ay inopen talaga particularly ng CHED…para doon sa tinatawag na internationalization. Ito yung mga foreign students, they were welcomed doon sa probinsya ng Cagayan para doon sila mag-aral. This is part of the effort ng local government, progress ng Cagayan at wala naman daw dapat ikabahala dahil ito naman ay mga documented foreign students at meron mga kaukulang papeles“, said PNP Public Information Office acting chief Col. Jean Fajardo. 

“Even in other places ay tuloy-tuloy yan including yung validation ng alleged presence ng mga Chinese diyan sa probinsya ng Cagayan but we were informed these are all valid and may basis naman because may invitation by no less than the CHED,” she added.

Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph “Jojo” Lara filed a resolution at the House of Representatives to investigate the alleged influx of Chinese students in schools in the province, describing the development as “highly suspicious and alarming.”

Meanwhile, in a statement, Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba said the Chinese students entered the country legally, had the proper visas, and studied in the province’s colleges and universities under a partnership between CHED and Chinese learning institutions.

The governor’s office also dispelled suspicions that the influx of students was related to the tension in the West Philippine Sea.

Sources:(1),(2),(3)

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