A MALE Chinese national found engaging in business operations without proper documentation was arrested during an enforcement operation in Buug, Zamboanga del Surn by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
It was learned from BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval that Jianhong Liu, 52, a Chinese national from Jinjiang, China, was apprehended on January 20 at a commercial establishment in Barangay Sampaguita after authorities confirmed his presence and verified his immigration status. Liu was reportedly acting as the manager of the business and was also actively attending to customers at the time of the operation.
Liu admitted during verification that his passport was not in his possession and claimed it was in Manila. He was only able to present a digital copy of his passport data page on his mobile phone while further checks revealed that he was in violation of Philippine immigration laws.
Sandoval said Liu was informed of the nature of his violations and of his rights in a language he could understand before he was subsequently taken to the local police station for proper documentation and further proceedings.
“The BI reiterates its call for business owners and foreign nationals to ensure full compliance with immigration requirements to avoid penalties, arrest and possible deportation,” Sandoval said.
The arrest, she added, is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen border security and ensure that all foreign nationals in the country strictly comply with Philippine laws, particularly those governing immigration and employment.
