Bogus Filipino nabbed in CDO

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COMBINED intelligence operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) arrested in Cagayan de Oro City recently an illegal Chinese pretending to be a Filipino amid security concerns on the proliferation of fraudulently acquired but authentic Philippine documents to foreign nationals.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado on Monday identified the foreigner as Xu Shiyan, 38, who claimed to be dual citizen, citing a Filipino mother and Chinese father.

However, investigations revealed inconsistencies, including the fact that Chinese law does not recognize dual citizenship. Moreover, his Chinese passport lists Guangdong, China as his place of birth, contradicting the Philippine birth certificate he presented.

Authorities recovered multiple Philippine-issued documents under his Philippine name, including a birth certificate, TIN card, postal ID, driver's license, and a Comelec registration slip — all bearing Xu's photograph.

According to Viado, the BI is currently coordinating with government agencies responsible for the issuance of said documents like the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the passport and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for the driver's license.

"The matter is a national security issue," declared Viado.

His immigration records revealed that he held a working valid visa until 2026, which further proves he had not been naturalized as a Filipino.

The case has raised more concerns about the possible illegal acquisition and issuance of Philippine documents.

Investigators believe that Xu assumed a Filipino identity to gain benefits reserved for Filipino citizens such as property ownership, business registration, firearms licensing, and possibly even eligibility to run for public office.

"This case is not just about an immigration violation," added Viado. "It's about the integrity of our national identity. We call for a full-stop on the illegal issuance of Philippine documents. These fraudulent activities threaten our national security and must be met with the full force of the law."

Viado said that Xu will be charged for violation of the Philippine Immigration Act for falsely representing himself as a Philippine citizen.

BI records showed that there were at least 10 recent cases of authentic Philippine passports used by illegal aliens.

In April, the BI reported the case of a certain Danny Wong, who attempted to depart for Cambodia, claiming that he was of Chinese-Korean-Filipino lineage.

The BI also reported the arrest of Faizan Muhammad who presented a Philippine National ID.

Also arrested was overstaying Korean Kwak Dong Hee, 26, who assumed the name of one Erik Nacis. He was apprehended while attempting to leave the country after the immigration officer noticed that he could not converse in Filipino and had trouble communicating in any local dialect.

In another incident, a Chinese passenger also presented a genuine Philippine passport bearing the name of a certain Sonny Tamayo Liang upon his arrival from Bangkok at the NAIA 2 terminal.

Also arrested by the BI was a 49-year-old Canadian who also presented a genuine Philippine passport but like in other similar cases, was found unable to speak Filipino or any Philippine dialect.

All aliens were charged for violation of the Philippine Immigration Act and were included in the BI's derogatory list.