MANILA, Dec. 13 -- Seventy-two of 77 Chinese nationals who were detained by Philippines' Bureau of Immigrations (BI)last Wednesday in Manila have been released as of Friday afternoon, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines told Xinhua.

Zhang Hua, the spokesman for the Chinese Embassy, said at present five Chinese are still held by the Philippine authorities for lack of certificates, waiting for the results of investigations.

The embassy will continue to follow the development of this case, and provide the captive Chinese nationals proper consular protection and services, Zhang said, adding that the embassy reminds Chinese citizens in the country to abide by the local laws and regulations, so as to avoid risks to their safety, rights and interests.

The 77 Chinese nationals were arrested by BI on Wednesday afternoon in two shopping malls in Manila's China town in an abrupt operation.

Getting the information, the Chinese Embassy immediately lodged representations with the Philippine Immigration Office. BI released 52 of them on Thursday.