Latest from Filipino Times
Filipino Times
12 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Chinese man arrested in Camarines Norte for posing as Filipino
A Chinese national pretending to be a Filipino was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Daet, Camarines Norte, as part of ongoing operations to remove foreigners violating Philippine laws. The arrest follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to tighten enforcement on foreign nationals staying in the country illegally. BI intelligence agents, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and other operatives, caught 45-year-old Wu Zhishi on June 25. He was found along J. Pimentel Street, Barangay V, after agents posed as customers in his business. Wu was using Philippine-issued IDs and was claiming to be a Filipino in his dealings. He presented only an expired retiree visa card but denied faking any Filipino identity. Investigators said Wu used the fake documents to apply for a gun license, which raised further security concerns. He was immediately arrested and handed over to PAOCC for custody. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado warned that the illegal use of Philippine documents by foreign nationals is a serious threat. 'This poses as a risk to national security as these aliens are able to embed themselves in society, perhaps doing illegal activities by using someone else's identity,' he said. Viado urged agencies issuing national IDs and other official papers to tighten their screening. 'There is a need to review policies on the issuance of Philippine documents to prevent this from happening again,' he added.
Filipino Times
13 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Saudi Arabia grants visa holders 30-day grace period to exit the Kingdom
The Saudi General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has started a new initiative allowing all types of expired visit visas to be extended for final departure from the country. This move took effect on June 26, 2025, and gives visa holders 30 days to process their exit. Those affected must first settle any related fees and penalties before they can leave. After that, they can request the extension and finalize their departure procedures. This initiative is open to all individuals with expired visit visas, regardless of the visa's category or purpose. It provides a chance for those who overstayed to regularize their situation without facing legal complications. The extension can be requested online through the 'Tawasul' service on the Ministry of Interior's 'Absher' platform. This digital service allows users to process government-related services without having to visit offices. Jawazat urged all affected individuals to make use of this opportunity before the 30-day deadline expires. No extensions will be granted after the cutoff period. The agency reminded the public that this is a one-time initiative aimed at easing the departure process for those with expired visit visas.
Filipino Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
UAE ranks in world's top 7 for tourist spending
The United Arab Emirates ranked among the world's top seven destinations for international tourist spending in 2024, according to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Visitors spent AED217.3 billion (US$59.2 billion) in the UAE, a 5.8% increase from 2023 and over 30% higher than pre-pandemic levels. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, 'The WTTC report highlights the exceptional achievements of the UAE tourism sector. International visitor spending exceeded AED217 billion last year, with domestic tourism expenditure reaching AED57 billion. 'The UAE ranks among the world's top seven destinations for international tourist spending, surpassing countries that have been in this industry for centuries,' His Highness added. The report also showed that domestic tourism contributed AED57.6 billion (US$15.7 billion), bringing the total travel and tourism sector's impact on the UAE's GDP to AED257.3 billion. That amount represents 13% of the national economy and is one of the highest growth rates globally. The rise in visitor spending came from a wide mix of tourists, mainly from India (14%), the United Kingdom (8%), Russia (8%), China (5%), and Saudi Arabia (5%). The rest came from other parts of the world, showing the UAE's global appeal. Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said the country's achievements are the result of strong strategies, infrastructure upgrades, and international partnerships. He added that these efforts help create jobs and attract more investment in tourism.
Filipino Times
13 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Heroin found hidden in dietary supplements at Fujairah airport
Customs officers at Fujairah International Airport stopped a passenger from smuggling heroin hidden inside a large shipment of dietary supplements. The operation was carried out in cooperation with the General Directorate of Ports under the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP). The passenger, of Asian nationality, was coming into the UAE from his home country when he was stopped for inspection. Inside his luggage, officers found 100 containers with 6,000 capsules and 70 bags of powdered supplements. Upon testing, authorities confirmed that the capsules contained heroin, a banned narcotic substance. Legal action was immediately taken against the suspect. The ICP said the success of the operation shows the high level of skill among customs officers and the importance of using smart technologies at airport borders. These tools helped detect the illegal items that were hidden within everyday-looking products. The Authority emphasized that protecting UAE communities from drug trafficking remains a top priority. It said this case highlights the need for strict monitoring at all entry points. No further details were given about the suspect's identity, but the case is currently under investigation.
Filipino Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
South Korea to bring in over 22,000 more seasonal workers to fill labor gaps
South Korea will bring in more than 22,000 additional seasonal migrant workers in the second half of 2025 to address labor shortages in farming and fishing. This was confirmed by the country's justice ministry after a joint meeting with the ministries of agriculture and fisheries. A total of 22,731 seasonal workers will be distributed to 100 local governments nationwide. These workers are expected to help fill long-standing labor gaps in the agricultural and fisheries sectors. This brings the total number of seasonal migrant workers approved for the year to 95,700, which is a 41% increase from the 67,778 deployed last year. The rise is aimed at supporting South Korea's food production, especially during planting and harvest seasons. Seasonal workers are allowed to stay in the country for short periods to perform temporary jobs. These jobs are usually done during peak seasons when there are not enough local workers available. The agriculture ministry also announced that starting later this year, local governments will be allowed to operate public seasonal worker programs using local funds. This will still require prior approval from the national government. South Korea continues to adjust its labor policies to address population decline and labor shortages in rural areas, especially in farming and fishing communities.
