BI arrests 2 Chinese men for allegedly posing as Filipinos

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested two Chinese citizens for allegedly posing as Filipinos.

According to a statement Wednesday, an operation was launched against Chinese Jucan Hong in Barangay Bitano, Legazpi City last February 2 after he was found misrepresenting himself as a Filipino to secure government-issued identification.

It was revealed that Hong held a driver’s license indicating his alleged Filipino citizenship and was engaging in business activities.

A separate operation in Barangay Cuambogan, Tagum City, Davao del Norte resulted in the arrest of Chinese national Qingzhuang Ke, who had allegedly been using the fake Filipino identity of “Jimmy Reyes.”

Ke was said to have a delayed registration birth certificate under his false name, which was used to acquire PDs, open bank accounts, register vehicles, and operate a warehouse business.

“Citizenship is not a costume that foreigners can wear when it is convenient… Those who falsely claim to be Filipinos to gain privileges, evade the law, or manipulate our systems will be arrested, prosecuted, and deported. The Bureau of Immigration will not tolerate this kind of deception,” warned BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.

The two foreigners are now under BI custody and will face deportation cases for misrepresentation and other immigration violations. —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News