A suspected fake Filipino was arrested in Pasig on Thursday, April 24, in a joint operation conducted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reported that a 32-year-old Chinese national was arrested during the operation at a hotel in Ortigas, Pasig.
The operation was launched after the BI received intelligence from the AFP, indicating that the Chinese national had been falsely presenting himself as a Filipino citizen in multiple transactions across the country.
Furthermore, the individual was reportedly using a Philippine passport and a Philippine driver’s license, and was found to have registered himself as a Filipino national.
The agency also received reports from government intelligence authorities noting that the individual owns a financial holdings company with 47 subsidiaries and 97 real estate properties, some of which are located near critical national infrastructure.
Authorities from government intelligence agencies have raised concerns over his presence and activities, citing potential threats to national security.
“Ang sinumang nagpapanggap bilang Pilipino para makalusot sa ating mga batas ay may pananagutan,” Viado stated.
“Sa direktiba ng ating Pangulo, pinalalakas natin ang pagbabantay sa mga banyagang nagtatangkang abusuhin ang ating mga sistema. Hindi tayo papayag na gamitin ang pagiging Pilipino bilang panangga sa iligal na gawain," he added.
The arrested individual is set to face charges of undesirability for falsely presenting himself as a Filipino, despite holding a Chinese passport and only possessing a permanent resident visa—valid until 2029—through his marriage to a Filipina.
He will remain in BI's facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig, while deportation proceedings are underway.
