May 21May 21 Photo courtesy of InquirerThe Philippine National Police (PNP) has firmly rejected allegations of discrimination following the arrest of 69 Chinese nationals during a law enforcement operation in Misamis Oriental. The raid, which occurred in Tagoloan town, targeted a steel manufacturing plant amid concerns over immigration and labor law violations, as well as public safety issues.Get today's headlines by email The operation, conducted in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation, and other agencies, was based on a court-issued search warrant. PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized that actions were taken strictly in accordance with legal procedures. These remarks followed accusations from the Chinese Embassy in Manila accusing local authorities of discriminating against the Chinese detainees.Gen. Nartatez clarified that the police focus was solely on the violations, stating, "We do not look at nationality, we look at the violations committed." The Chinese Embassy's concerns have sparked discussions on the nature of the operation and the treatment of the detained individuals.Join the discussion? Adapted by ASEAN Now · Inquirer · 21 May 2026
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