MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday it would work closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP), which is investigating a reported surge in Chinese students in colleges and universities in Cagayan province amid the country’s tension with Beijing over the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Beijing denies 'Chinese sleeper cells' in PH

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, 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 we will be working with them closely on this matter," Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said.

She said the PNP would be in charge of the investigation. 

“We will defer to our troops in the areas to recommend how to go about the situation,” she added.

The PNP later in the day said the Chinese students were invited by the Commission on 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, part of their initiative to spike the economy, 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 earlier 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.”

Cagayan is home to Naval Base Camilo Osias and Lal-lo Airport, which have been identified as Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites where the US military can deploy and preposition personnel, supplies and materiel.

READ: Cagayan gov argues EDCA sites not really for disaster relief

Padilla assured the public that security in EDCA sites remains tight.

“Pag sinabing EDCA sites, they are located in military camps. Kung paano tayo ka-strikto sa entrance and exit natin sa civilian entities sa ating military camps, that’s what we also do in our military camps with EDCA sites,” the military spokesperson said.

(These EDCA sites are located in military camps. The level of security for civilian access to military camps is the same for military camps with EDCA sites.)

CHED lists 25 Higher Education Institutions in Cagayan province.

'NO BASIS'

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

“Matatandaang mayroong nilagdaang memorandum of agreement sa pagitan ng CHED at ng [Ministry of Education] hinggil dito noong 2019 na hanggang ngayon ay patuloy na ipinapatupad,” Mamba said in a statement released by his office on Tuesday.

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

“Nilinaw rin ni Gob. Mamba na ang pag-aaral ng mga dayuhang estudyante, lalo na ang mga Chinese, ay walang kongkretong basehan para iugnay sa tension na nagaganap sa West Philippine Sea," his office said.

(Gov. Mamba has also made clear that there is no concrete basis to link foreign students, especially Chinese ones, studying here to developments in the West Philippine Sea.)

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