Hontiveros flags 'Filipino-Chinese' businessman's inclusion in PCG Auxiliary

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Monday flagged the supposed enlisting of "Filipino-Chinese" businessman Joseph Sy as part of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Auxiliary unit, saying Sy is just posing as a Filipino like ousted Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.

Hontiveros said Sy, who chairs the mining company Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc., was recently detained by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for reportedly holding fraudulently acquired Philippine identity documents.

“Parang si Alice Guo Part 2 ito: nagpapanggap na Pilipino, may pekeng passport, at mga pekeng ID. Mukhang andyan pa rin ang mga butas sa pagproseso ng ating nasyonalidad. Bagama’t voluntary at non-government ang PCGA, nakakalungkot isipin na nagka-access si Sy sa mga tao at events kung saan maaaring napag-uusapan ang national security,” Hontiveros said. 

(This is like an Alice Guo Part 2: A person pretending to be a Filipino with a fake passport and bogus IDs. It seems the loopholes in securing Filipino citizenship are still there. While being part of the Philippine Coast Guard’s Auxiliary is voluntary and it is a non-government unit, it is sad that Sy was given access to people and events with whom and where national security could be discussed.)

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed on Monday to GMA Integrated News that the Chinese man identified as Chen Zhong Zhen, 60, arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Terminal 3 last August 21 for misrepresenting himself as a Filipino is Sy.

He arrived on board a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong on August 21 and was nabbed by immigration officers at the NAIA Terminal 3.

Chen was the subject of a mission order and an investigation after the bureau received information from government intelligence sources about his alleged illegally acquired Philippine documents.

Hontiveros said Sy joined the PCGA in 2018 and even received an honorary rank during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte from 2016 to 2022.

“Hindi lang local na pamahalaan ang pinasok, nakalapit na din sa mismong coast guard — ang mismong naatasang pangalagaan ang seguridad ng ating dagat. Kapag nalulusutan ang ating mga institusyon at papeles, nalulusutan rin ang ating soberanya,” Hontiveros added.

(It is not just the local government that is infiltrated. Even the Coast Guard — the government agency mandated to secure our seas. When these people find cracks in our institutions and processes, our sovereignty is also breached.)

Asked if Sy was part of the agency, the PCG told GMA Integrated News it will issue a statement on the matter.

In addition, Hontiveros said when former President Duterte paid a state visit to China in 2016, Sy’s company entered into a partnership with Chinese State-owned enterprise Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co., Ltd.

The agreement, Hontiveros said, involved mining operations in Palawan which a sensitive and strategic location in the ongoing territorial dispute between the Philippines and China.

“Ano kaya ang totoong agenda nitong si Joseph Sy? Is he simply conducting business in Palawan, or is there more to his operations than meets the eye?” Hontiveros asked.

“If this businessman is indeed a Chinese national masquerading as Filipino, the Senate must immediately probe his affiliations, background, and the circumstances under which he obtained his Philippine documents. We should look into who enabled him and how deep his network goes,” the senator said. 

Hontiveros said vigilance is in order, especially that the nation marks National Heroes Day today.

“Ngayong Araw ng mga Bayani, alalahanin natin na hindi lamang sa teritoryo nasusukat ang ating soberanya. Bantayan din natin ang ating mga institusyon, proseso, at maging mga dokumento na nagpapatunay ng ating pagka-Pilipino. Nakataya rin dito ang ating watawat,” she said.

(This National Heroes’ Day, let us remember that our sovereignty is not only measured by our territory, but our institutions and processes, as well as documents proving that we are Filipino citizens. Our flag is also at stake.)

PNIA calls for release of FNI chair Joseph Sy

Meanwhile, the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) on Monday stood in solidarity and called for the release of its member Joseph Sy, chairman of Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (FNI), who was detained by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for reportedly holding fraudulently acquired Philippine identity documents.

In a statement released Monday, the PNIA called for due process and a rules-based environment, as it said Sy’s detention sends the wrong message to the business and investment community.

“PNIA stands in solidarity with Mr. Sy and with all industry stakeholders who deserve the protection of their constitutional rights. We call on the authorities to act swiftly, observe due process, and immediately resolve this matter by releasing Mr. Sy without delay,” the statement read.

Sy, who chairs publicly-listed miner and exploration company FNI, was apprehended by BI authorities after arriving at the Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) past 11 p.m. last Thursday, August 21, for allegedly misrepresenting his citizenship.

“No Filipino citizen deserves to be treated in this manner, least of all by institutions mandated to protect our rights and uphold the rule of law,” PNIA said.

Sy was reported to have been the subject of a mission order and an investigation from the BI after it received information from government intelligence sources regarding his allegedly illegally-acquired Philippine documents.

“Mr. Sy is a Filipino citizen whose rights are guaranteed under the Constitution. His citizenship has already been affirmed by Philippine authorities, in particular by the BI in two separate rulings,” PNIA said.

“It is therefore deeply troubling and legally inconsistent that the BI which twice recognized his citizenship is now the very source of his illegal arrest and unlawful detention. HIs continued detention on mere suspicion of being an alien, without lawful basis and outside the BI’s jurisdiction, is a grave injustice and a violation of the fundamental principles of due process,” it added.

GMA News Online has reached out to FNI for comment on the matter, but no response has been received as of this posting. —with a report from Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News