Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Arthur Fuentes

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — A mining group has called for the immediate release of a businessman arrested by the Bureau of Immigration for allegedly misrepresenting himself as a Filipino citizen.</p><p>A senator, meanwhile, said the businessman, who is allegedly a Chinese national, may be a national security concern. Senator Risa Hontiveros likened Sy to Alice Guo, the Chinese national on trial for violating Philippine laws for running for public office. </p><p>In a statement, the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) maintained that Joseph Sy, who is chairman of the mining company Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI), is a Filipino citizen whose citizenship has been affirmed. </p><p>PNIA President Dante Bravo said Sy was “unlawfully arrested” and put under “illegal detention.”</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3aZ5OGjTGOs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>In an interview with ANC, Bravo said the BI had no authority to arrest and detain Sy as the agency&#x27;s &quot;jurisdiction involves only foreigners.&quot; </p><p>&quot;But Mr. See is a Filipino citizen. At the very least, there is a presumption of regularity,&quot; Bravo said. He also rejected comparisons to Guo.</p><p>&quot;It is very unfair to compare him to Alice Guo. His case has already undergone a process--twice declared by the Bureau of Immigration that he is a Filipino citizen,&quot; Bravo said.</p><p>He claimed that Sy&#x27;s citizenship was even elevated to the Office of the President, which confirmed it. </p><p>&quot;So we find it odd and very unfair and shocking to us why this issue against Mr. Sy keeps on resurfacing and resurfacing.&quot;</p><p>In a statement, Hontiveros also said Sy was able to join the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, a volunteer group with the PCG.  </p><p>&quot;Bagama’t voluntary at non-government ang PCGA, nakakalungkot isipin na nagka-access si Sy sa mga tao at events kung saan maaaring napag-uusapan ang national security,” Hontiveros said. </p><p>The senator said this was a national security concern. </p><p>Bravo, meanwhile, said there was nothing irregular about Sy joining the PCG volunteer group as he is a Filipino citizen. </p><p>Last Aug. 21, the BI arrested a businessman named Chen Zhong Zhen, who the agency said was a Chinese national who had Philippine documents that were illegally acquired.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/30/wanted-a-law-that-prevents-future-alice-guos-1054">Wanted: A law that prevents future Alice Guos</a></div><p>The BI said its Alien Registration Division confirmed that Chen’s fingerprints matched that of a Chinese citizen, who previously held a long-term visa and an Alien Certificate Registration Identity Card.</p><p>“Without naturalization, a foreign national is not eligible to get Philippine citizenship documents,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.</p><p>Last month, another Chinese national, arriving from Kuala Lumpur, was also arrested at the NAIA for allegedly misrepresenting herself as a Filipino citizen.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/14/another-alice-guo-chinese-woman-posing-as-filipino-nabbed-at-naia-1515">Another &#x27;Alice Guo&#x27;? BI nabs Chinese woman allegedly posing as Filipino</a></div><p>Before this, multiple Chinese nationals were also arrested across the country for illegally acquiring Philippine documents.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/6/28/chinese-man-pretending-to-be-filipino-arrested-in-camarines-norte-1308">Chinese man pretending to be Filipino arrested in Camarines Norte</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9MDzUIUTGnw?si=YlqmuG7jm4jdCltq" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>A mining group has called for the release of a businessman arrested by the Bureau of Immigration for allegedly misrepresenting himself as a Filipino citizen.</p>

A mining group has called for the release of a businessman arrested by the Bureau of Immigration for allegedly misrepresenting himself as a Filipino citizen.

Mining group calls for release of businessman held by Immigration as senator likens him to Alice Guo

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

Mining group calls for release of businessman held by Immigration as senator likens him to Alice Guo

Marilyn Cahatol,

Arthur Fuentes,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 25, 2025 07:39 PM PHT

|

Updated August 26, 2025 02:48 PM PHT

Read More:

Fake Filipino

CHinese national

NAIA

PNIA

Mining

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or junk folder.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.