Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado shared information that the alleged Chinese spy earlier arrested by authorities has embedded himself in the country for more than a decade.
Viado emphasized the BI is working with the Department of Justice (DOJ) as well as other law enforcement agencies to investigate the said spy, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to safeguard national security.
Viado shared that the Chinese man first arrived in the Philippines in 2013 and was later issued a permanent residence visa after marrying a 36-year-old Filipina.
Verification of his records revealed that he has been living in Metro Manila, and has traveled in and out of the country numerous times for almost 12 years.
The BI Chief said that they are supplying Philippine intelligence authorities with the information needed to identify links to the said Chinese man.
“We are not taking this lightly,” said Viado. “Any threat to our sovereignty will warrant the full action of BI, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies,” he added.
Viado said that they are initiating deportation proceedings against the Chinese man, but will defer implementation until he faces the expected local cases to be filed against him. (BI)
