Fingerprints of businessman Joseph Sy in his passport are similar to the fingerprints of a Chinese national named Chen Zhong Zhen, Senator Risa Hontiveros confirmed on Wednesday, August 27.
In a social media post, the senator provided documents showing that Joseph Sy and Chen Zhong Zhen are the same person.
According to Hontiveros, Zhen applied for a visa under Republic Act No. 7919, also known as the Alien Social Integration Act, a law that grants amnesty to foreigners who entered the country before 1992.
Sy is the chairman of Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (FNI), one of the largest nickel ore producers in the Philippines.
He was previously arrested on August 21 by authorities for allegedly faking his citizenship.
Hontiveros also presented an appointment letter from the National Headquarters of the Philippine Coast Guard, showing that the Chinese national joined the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Auxiliary in 2018 and even received an honorary rank of Auxiliary Commodore under the previous administration.
She expressed concern that Sy not only joined a local government body but also infiltrated the PCG, which is responsible for ensuring the security of the country’s seas.
“Kapag nalulusutan ang ating mga institusyon at papeles, nalulusutan rin ang ating soberanya,” she further stated, warning that breaches in our institutions and official documents can lead to serious threats to national sovereignty.
