Laguna: Two Chinese nationals were recently arrested in Laguna for allegedly posing as Filipinos, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Wednesday. Commissioner Joel Viado identified them as Chen Yian and Hong Ping Ping, who were found to have falsely assumed Philippine identities, which were allegedly used to illegally secure firearms on Nov. 14 along Magsaysay Road in Brgy. San Antonio, San Pedro, Laguna.
According to Philippines News Agency, both individuals were arrested during an operation under the strength of a mission order issued by the BI chief. Simultaneously, three other Chinese nationals, identified as Cai Weixin, Li Rongpo, and Cai Junqiu, were also apprehended during the operation for working with a company other than their 9(g) visa petitioners, in violation of Philippine immigration laws.
The enforcement activity was conducted in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 4A, the Philippine Army, barangay authorities, and government intelligence forces. All five individuals were brought to the BI Main Office for documentation before being transferred to the BI warden's facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.
The operation was carried out in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to intensify measures against identity fraud and other security risks involving foreign nationals. Authorities expressed serious concern over this finding, noting that the misuse of Philippine citizenship documents to acquire weapons poses a clear security threat and may be exploited for unscrupulous activities detrimental to national security.
