SENATE Majority Leader Joel Villanueva is urging the National Security Council to investigate the allegation of an influx of Chinese students in Cagayan province.

The senator is also urging the NSC, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education, to validate reports on degree for sale.

“We call on the Commission on Higher Education and the National Security Council to look into this matter and maybe investigate further,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva added the issue does not only diminish the integrity of our education system but might also have implications for our national security.

“We need to ensure that this is not a smokescreen for more questionable Chinese citizens to enter the country, such as workers in illegal POGO operations,” he stressed.

“We, thus, urge the government to seriously consider implementing a permanent ban on illegal POGO operations in the country,” the senator added.