Two Chinese nationals were arrested in Tacloban City for overstaying and illegally working in the country, with one allegedly attempting to pass himself off as a Filipino, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday.

Operatives of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines, government intelligence units, the City Intelligence Unit, and the Tacloban City Police Office, conducted the enforcement operation on 29 January at an e-bike commercial establishment in Barangay 91, Abucay.

Authorities identified the suspects as Zhu Fulin, 51, and Wu Huoyan, 53, both Chinese nationals. They were apprehended while allegedly working at the shop despite holding only tourist visas.

Immigration records showed Zhu could not present any valid immigration documents and had been overstaying in the Philippines since 2023.

Wu, meanwhile, had overstayed even longer, with his visa expiring in 2020. Authorities said he also attempted to misrepresent himself as a Filipino citizen by presenting a Philippine Identification Card when questioned by officers.

Both were arrested on the spot for being undocumented and for engaging in unauthorized employment.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the arrests demonstrate the agency’s continued crackdown on foreign nationals who violate Philippine immigration laws.

“We will not tolerate foreigners who overstay, misrepresent themselves, or illegally engage in work at the expense of our laws and our people,” Viado said. “These operations reflect our continuing coordination with intelligence and law enforcement partners to protect public interest and national security.”

The two men were later flown to Manila and are now detained at the BI Warden’s Facility while undergoing deportation proceedings.

The BI reiterated its warning to foreign nationals to comply strictly with visa conditions, emphasizing that violators will face arrest and removal from the country.