The national debate landscape is in a frenzy about the reported influx of Chinese students enrolled in colleges and universities in Cagayan province.
With the issue linked with the country’s problems with the South China Sea, the West Philippine Sea and the Taiwan Strait, the presence of foreign students in Cagayan easily divided the opinions of officials of Cagayan, certain lawmakers and academicians.
Governor Mamba said there is nothing to be worried about. The Chinese students are just that—students under the international program of educational cooperation and they obey our laws. Cagayan Rep. Jojo Lara, however, has a contrary take. He said there is nothing wrong with having foreigners around here, but we should not sacrifice our national security.
This congressman is seeking a House inquiry into an apparent increase in Chinese students in the province, saying their presence could put the country’s security at risk amid China's “aggressive” moves in the West Philippine Sea.
Jojo Lara said he has received reports from his constituents that there are at least 4,600 Chinese students in one private university alone, and that they have been spotted in public places wearing student IDs.
“I had a talk with NICA and CHED and two private schools during the last quarter of 2023 about this. These Chinese individuals are wearing student IDs, and are on long-term lease in residential apartments. They pay a high amount of rental fees, but they don’t go out of their house,” Lara said.
“We just want to know why. We are not against having foreign students, but what we fear is we have an issue with China. If there are 4,600 Chinese students in one private university and the private university even admits it, it is very alarming,” Lara added.
On the presence of foreign students, the last word is with Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, who said foreign nationals in the Philippines holding student visas may be subjected to intelligence investigation by authorities if found involved in illicit acts.
In a statement, Tansingco said under Executive Order 285, s. 2000, foreign nationals who acquire their student visas may be subjected to checks by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation for activities “which appear to be inimical to the security of the State”.
The EO established an inter-agency committee on foreign students, which is headed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), together with NBI, NICA, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the BI.
He said this allows the bureau to only issue student visas to foreign nationals endorsed by legitimate schools and by CHED.
Tansingco, meanwhile, said the rise in students may be attributed to post-pandemic rebound, as well as the aggressive marketing of schools and government agencies to boost the country’s educational tourism.
“The national government has actively promoted the country as an education hub in Asia. We hope that these concerns do not scare away legitimate students whose stay in the country could greatly help re-boost our economy,” he added.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said some 1,516 Chinese nationals were granted student visas in Cagayan province last year, all endorsed by a major university which she did not identify.
However, she noted that based on the reports received by the BI, only more than 400 Chinese nationals are attending in-person classes, as the school is said to be implementing distance learning.
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