Manila: Two Chinese nationals were arrested in separate operations in Luzon and Mindanao for misrepresenting themselves as Filipinos, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. stated that operatives from the BI Regional Intelligence Operations Unit-5 (RIOU5) apprehended Jucan Hong in Barangay Bitano, Legazpi City on February 2. Intelligence reports revealed that Hong had been falsely representing himself as a Filipino to obtain government-issued identification, including a driver's license that indicated Philippine citizenship, and to conduct business activities in the region.
In another operation the following day, BI operatives from RIOU11, in collaboration with Intelligence Division personnel in Mindanao, detained Qingzhuang Ke, who was using the fake Filipino identity 'Jimmy Reyes,' in Barangay Cuambogan, Tagum City, Davao del Norte. Investigators found that Ke secured a delayed registration birth certificate under a fictitious Filipino name, which he used to obtain multiple Philippine IDs, open bank accounts, register vehicles, and run a warehouse business under the guise of Filipino ownership.
The operations were executed by the BI Intelligence Division, working closely with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and government intelligence forces. Both foreign nationals are now in custody and are facing deportation cases for misrepresentation and other immigration violations. Deportation proceedings will commence following the resolution of their cases.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado issued a warning against foreigners attempting to undermine Philippine laws by pretending to be Filipinos. He stated, "Citizenship is not a costume that foreigners can wear when it is convenient. Those who falsely claim to be Filipinos to gain privileges, evade the law, or manipulate our systems will be arrested, prosecuted, and deported. The Bureau of Immigration will not tolerate this kind of deception." The BI chief further noted that identity fraud poses serious threats to public order, economic fairness, and national security.
