A massive multi-agency law enforcement operation in Zamboanga Sibugay turned volatile on October 2, 2026, resulting in the rescue and accounting of 130 foreign nationals following an armed encounter in Barangay Tandiong Muslim, Alicia town.
The joint operation was spearheaded by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), with crucial tactical backing from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office.
Authorities launched the raid acting on mounting allegations of forced labor and the illegal employment of foreign nationals lacking proper work visas and immigration documentation.
As operating teams closed in on the target area, a firefight erupted between government personnel and a still-unidentified group of armed individuals.
During the exchange of gunfire, two Chinese nationals sustained injuries.
They were swiftly rushed to the Alicia District Hospital for emergency treatment before being transferred to the Zamboanga Medical Center for advanced medical care.
In total, authorities successfully accounted for 130 foreign nationals at the site.
The group comprises 120 Chinese nationals, four Indonesians, three Malaysians, and three Myanmar nationals.
Following the operation, they were transferred to Purok 2, Barangay Kimos, Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay, under the joint custody of the BI and NBI for consolidation and appropriate legal processing.
Law enforcement agencies are currently verifying the immigration status, personal backgrounds, and potential involvement of the foreign nationals in illegal activities.
Meanwhile, a separate tracking and investigation effort is underway to identify and locate the armed individuals who engaged government forces.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. commended the successful coordination and underscored the gravity of the intervention.
“This operation highlights the importance of decisive law enforcement action when there are indications of exploitation and immigration violations,” PGEN Nartatez stated.
Stressing accountability, he added that authorities will ensure strict adherence to the rule of law while bringing violators to justice.
