The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has initiated deportation proceedings against Joseph Sy, a mining entrepreneur and the chairperson of Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc., for falsely claiming to be a Filipino citizen.
Sy, who was arrested on August 21 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) upon his arrival from Hong Kong, is currently detained at the Immigration Detention Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
The businessman’s Chinese name was Chen Zhong Zhen, and he has been living in the Philippines since 1991, according to BI records.
Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the bureau is actively investigating other individuals who may have played a role in helping him secure his citizenship.
“We are looking at big people already. We’re looking at people of influence already. Because our concern is more of national security… If there were people involved in protecting him or assisting him, that will come out in later investigation,” she said.
The BI has also confirmed that several influential people are seeking his release from custody, including the businessman’s firm, which claims that Sy holds a legitimate Philippine passport.
The Philippine Nickel Industry Association called the arrest unjust and unfair, as Sy had already proven his Filipino citizenship in a prior immigration case.
“This charge is without lawful basis. Mr. Sy is a Filipino citizen, as affirmed in multiple rulings by government agencies and institutions,” said Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc.
But the BI said the businessman’s case is different this time around. Sandoval explained that Sy was previously investigated for misrepresentation sometime in 2014 or 2015, and that case was dismissed due to lack of evidence.
“Now, it’s different because government intelligence sources have given us a name. And this Chinese name was cross-matched with our records and that’s where the biometric information of the Chinese individual and this Filipino individual came out,” according to Sandoval.
“If you were born of foreign parents, both your parents are foreigners, your nationality has no source, you cannot be a Filipino. There’s no reason for you. Unless you are a naturalized Filipino citizen, which this person did not do and which this person does not claim,” she noted.
Sandoval said Sy has been staying and working in the Philippines “for decades” on a “long-term visa.” He received his visa through Republic Act (RA) 7919 or The Alien Social Integration Act of 1995.
“This specific visa is issued to individuals who have resided in the country for an extended period, operating much like a pardon visa. It enables those who have built long-term residency to secure legal status in accordance with the regulations of RA 7919,” she explained.
She said Sy’s deportation case is at its initial stage.
“We would also look and check if he still has pending cases in the Philippines, which we are also expecting. Since of course, it’s a citizenship issue, there would be other cases,” Sandoval said.
