The country’s leading mining groups are urging the government to immediately release Joseph Sy, chairman of Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (FNI), following his arrest by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), which they described as “unlawful.”

In separate statements on Monday, Aug. 25, the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) and the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) called for Sy’s release from his “illegal detention.”

Sy, whose Chinese name is Chen Zhong Zhen, was apprehended by immigration officers on Thursday night, Aug. 21, after arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 from Hong Kong.

Chen is the subject of a BI investigation over his alleged illegally acquired Philippine documents.

He was found to be using a Philippine passport issued in 2021, alongside several identity cards identifying him as a Filipino.

However, the BI confirmed that Chen’s fingerprints matched those of a Chinese citizen who previously held a long-term visa and an Alien Certificate Registration Identity Card.

The mining executive is currently being held at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, where he faces a deportation case due to misrepresentation.

PNIA, the country’s largest group of nickel mining companies, emphasized that Sy is a Filipino citizen, whose citizenship has already been affirmed by the BI in two separate rulings.

“It is therefore deeply troubling and legally inconsistent that the BI, which twice recognized his citizenship, is now the very source of his illegal arrest and unlawful detention,” the group said.

“His continued detention on mere suspicion of being an alien, without lawful basis and outside the BI’s jurisdiction, is a grave injustice and a violation of the fundamental principles of due process,” it added.

The group said that this incident would send a “wrong message” to the business and investment community at a time when the Philippines is working to position the local mining industry as a global leader.

“No Filipino citizen deserves to be treated in this manner, least of all by institutions mandated to protect our rights and uphold the rule of law,” it said.

PNIA said protecting the rights of industry leaders is critical to building the trust and confidence needed for sustained growth and investment.

“We call on the authorities to act swiftly, observe due process, and immediately resolve this matter by releasing Mr. Sy without delay,” the statement read.

COMP, for its part, said Sy’s record as an advocate of responsible and sustainable mining reflects the principles that the group upholds.

“For many years, Mr. Sy has advanced responsible mineral development, ensuring environmental stewardship, supporting host communities, and building investor confidence in the Philippines as a competitive and ethical mining jurisdiction,” said COMP.

“His detention sends a chilling signal to the business and investment community, undermining government efforts to position the country as a reliable global supplier of critical minerals,” it added.

The mining group said that the current detention of Sy in Camp Bagong Diwa “has no lawful basis and violates fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.”

“The Chamber calls on the authorities to act swiftly, uphold due process, and release Mr. Sy without delay. Anything less erodes trust in our institutions and weakens the country’s standing before local and international investors,” it said.