BI: Taguig court ordered release of mining executive Joseph Sy

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed on Saturday that a Taguig City court ordered the release of nickel businessman Joseph Sy and that it is appealing the decision.

In a statement, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the agency received an order from the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 271 dated September 4, 2025, signed by Presiding Judge Paz Esperanza Cortes, regarding the deportation case of Sy, who the BI believes to be Chen Zhong Zhen, a Chinese citizen.

"The said order grants the petition for habeas corpus filed by Chen's camp and orders his release from the BI's custody, citing lack of jurisdiction," Viado said. 

“The BI respects the decision of the court but maintains that there is strong evidence against Chen, supported by BI biometric records,” he added.

Viado said the BI has submitted its appeal to the Court of Appeals and will be awaiting its resolution.

“We trust that the courts will continue to review and resolve this case with utmost diligence and integrity, to ensure the protection of national security and the rule of law,” he said.

On August 21, Sy was taken into custody after it was found that his biometric information matched that of a Chinese citizen. Prior to the arrest, the BI said it had received information from government intelligence sources regarding Sy's use of illegally acquired Philippine identity documents.

The businessman’s firm sought his release, noting that Sy is a holder of a valid Philippine passport.

On August 26, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros raised concerns about Sy's enlistment in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary. She said that Sy is pretending to be a Filipino, similar to Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, who is now facing several cases over her links to an illegal POGO hub and citizenship issues. 

The PCG then delisted Sy from its auxiliary unit for misrepresentation of his citizenship. — VBL, GMA Integrated News