By Ferdinand Patinio
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.
BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said operatives of the BI Regional Intelligence Operations Unit–5 (RIOU5) arrested Jucan Hong in Barangay Bitano, Legazpi City on Feb. 2.
Intelligence reports showed that Hong had long been misrepresenting himself as a Filipino to secure government-issued identification, including a driver’s license indicating Philippine citizenship, and to engage in business activities in the area.
In another operation the following day, BI operatives from RIOU11, together with Intelligence Division personnel in Mindanao, arrested Qingzhuang Ke, also known under the fake Filipino identity “Jimmy Reyes,” in Barangay Cuambogan, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Investigators discovered that Ke obtained a delayed registration birth certificate under a fictitious Filipino name, which he then used to acquire multiple Philippine IDs, open bank accounts, register vehicles, and operate a warehouse business under the guise of Filipino ownership.
The operations were carried out by the BI Intelligence Division, in close coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and government intelligence forces.
Both foreign nationals are now under custody and facing deportation cases for misrepresentation and other immigration violations, with deportation proceedings to follow after the resolution of their cases.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado warned against foreigners who attempt to undermine Philippine laws by pretending to be Filipinos.
“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,” he said in a statement.
The BI chief added identity fraud poses serious threats to public order, economic fairness, and national security. (PNA)
