The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested two Chinese nationals in separate operations in Luzon and Mindanao for falsely representing themselves as Filipinos.

BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said operatives of the BI Regional Intelligence Operations Unit–5 arrested Chinese national Jucan Hong in Barangay Bitano, Legazpi City last 2 February.

Intelligence reports showed that Hong had long been misrepresenting himself as a Filipino to secure government-issued identification, including a driver’s license indicating Philippine citizenship, and to engage in business activities in the area.

In a separate operation the following day, BI operatives from RIOU11, together with Intelligence Division personnel in Mindanao, arrested Chinese national Qingzhuang Ke, also known under the fake Filipino identity “Jimmy Reyes,” in Barangay Cuambogan, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Investigators discovered that Ke obtained a delayed registration birth certificate under a fictitious Filipino name, which he then used to acquire multiple Philippine IDs, open bank accounts, register vehicles, and operate a warehouse business under the guise of Filipino ownership.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado issued a strong warning against foreigners who attempt to undermine Philippine laws by pretending to be Filipinos.

“Citizenship is not a costume that foreigners can wear when it is convenient,” Viado said. “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.”

Viado added that identity fraud poses serious threats to public order, economic fairness, and national security.

The two foreign nationals are now under custody and facing deportation cases for misrepresentation and other immigration violations, with deportation proceedings to follow after the resolution of their cases.