The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested two Chinese nationals in Laguna for allegedly posing as Filipino citizens and using their assumed identities to illegally obtain firearms.
The suspects, identified as Chen Yian and Hong Ping Ping, were intercepted along Magsaysay Road in Barangay San Antonio, San Pedro City.
BI Intelligence chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the pair had falsely assumed Philippine identities, a violation that poses serious risks to national security, especially when used to acquire weapons for illicit activities.
Three other Chinese nationals—Cai Weixin, Li Rongpo, and Cai Junqiu—were also arrested during the same operation after being found working for a company other than their 9(g) visa petitioners, in violation of immigration laws.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the CIDG 4A, the Philippine Army, barangay officials, and government intelligence units.
All five individuals were brought to the BI Main Office in Manila for documentation before being transferred to the BI Warden’s Facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the bureau remains firm in its crackdown on identity fraud, stressing that such schemes have direct national security implications.
He added that BI intelligence and enforcement teams are conducting continuous operations to locate and apprehend foreign nationals violating Philippine laws.
