Cheyenne Suarez

BI arrests 3 Chinese nationals in Tawi-Tawi for overstaying

Courtesy: Bureau of Immigration - Fugitive Search unit

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756521400911suspect.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Courtesy: Bureau of Immigration - Fugitive Search unit"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Courtesy: Bureau of Immigration - Fugitive Search unit</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Immigration personnel arrested three Chinese nationals in Tawi-Tawi on Friday for overstaying in the country.</p><p>The Bureau of Immigration - Fugitive Search Unit  conducted the operation in coordination with the Tawi-Tawi Police Provincial Office, the Philippine National Police Maritime Group and other specialized units.</p><p>Two of the overstaying foreigners — a man and a woman — were arrested in Camp Alejandro Suarez in Barangay Poblacion in Bongao. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/29/palace-ph-gov-t-actively-monitoring-security-threats-amid-alleged-chinese-sleeper-agents-1649"><strong>Palace: PH gov&#x27;t actively monitoring security threats amid alleged Chinese &#x27;sleeper agents&#x27;<br/></strong></a></div><p>The two had previously been accosted at a checkpoint at the Port of Mapun in Tawi-Tawi, authorities said. </p><p>The BI-FSU also arrested the third Chinese national during the operation. Authorities found that the Chinese national had also previously been cited by the PNP Maritime Group during a port inspection activity.</p><p>The Bureau of Immigration said verification confirmed the three had overstayed their visas.</p><p>The BI said it will keep coordinating with other government agencies to find overstaying foreigners and those who cross into the country through unauthorized routes and the country&#x27;s maritime boundaries.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/28/chinese-spies-to-pour-campaign-funds-during-2028-presidential-elections-analyst-1412"><strong>Chinese spies to pour campaign funds during 2028 presidential election - analyst<br/></strong></a></div><p>The three foreigners are in the custody of the Tawi-Tawi PPO and the PNP Maritime Group but will be sent to Manila on the next available flight.</p><p>The arrest comes amid renewed concern over supposed sleeper agents in the country and amid continued tension with China over the West Philippine Sea.</p>

<p>The Bureau of Immigration - Fugitive Search Unit conducted the operation in coordination with the Tawi-Tawi Police Provincial Office, the Philippine National Police Maritime Group and other specialized units.</p>

The Bureau of Immigration - Fugitive Search Unit conducted the operation in coordination with the Tawi-Tawi Police Provincial Office, the Philippine National Police Maritime Group and other specialized units.