National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Tuesday said the government remains steadfast in safeguarding national security following the arrest of a Mongolian national in Zambales for alleged immigration violations and activities inconsistent with his declared purpose of stay.

In a statement, Año said authorities apprehended the foreign national after discovering he had concealed his military background while enrolled as an aviation student in the Philippines.

According to Año, the individual failed to disclose his prior service with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), including holding a jet fighter license from the PLA Air Force Aviation University. 

The non-disclosure, he said, constitutes a serious violation of Philippine immigration laws.

“[His] presence and actions in Zambales near vital military locations are clearly inconsistent with his purpose of stay in the country,” Año said.

The National Security Council commended the Bureau of Immigration, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency for what he described as a swift and decisive operation that led to the arrest.

Año stressed that while the Philippines maintains an open and welcoming policy toward foreign students and aviation trainees, compliance with visa conditions and transparency with authorities are “non-negotiable.”

“Any act of misrepresentation, concealment, and activity that compromise national security will be dealt with firmly,” he said, warning that attempts to exploit the country’s openness or operate against national interests will be detected, disrupted, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The security chief also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, particularly unexplained aerial activity near military or sensitive areas, misrepresentation of identity, or unusual behavior inconsistent with the declared purposes of their stay.

He assured the public that the government would continue strengthening coordination among intelligence, immigration, aviation, and law enforcement agencies to detect, deter, and respond decisively to threats to national security.

“Suspicious activities, including unexplained aerial activity of military and sensitive areas, misrepresentation of identity or background, or unusual behavior inconsistent with declared purposes should be reported immediately to the nearest local authorities, police station, NICA office, or AFP unit,” he stressed.