There were no perceived threats yet from the interference of foreign agents when a mining executive accused of misrepresenting his citizenship was accepted into the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) in 2018.

"Right then, during that time, there were no perceived threats from interference from foreign agents. But right now, we see that there's a creeping intrusion into our security environment or security infrastructure," Capt. Xerxes Fernandez said during the hearing of the Senate Committee on National Defense, when Senator Risa Hontiveros asked about the PCG's vetting process, particularly in detecting fraudulent documents.

"But right now, we see that there's a creeping intrusion into our security environment or security infrastructure. That's why the Philippine Coast Guard is now stepping up its vetting process in accepting Philippine Coast Guard auxiliary members," he added.

Joseph Sy, whose Chinese name is Chen Zhong, was removed by PCG from the PCGA following “verified reports” of misrepresentation of his citizenship. He became part of the PCGA Executive Squadron in 2018 and holds the rank of Auxiliary Rear Admiral.

It was Hontiveros who raised concern over Sy's membership in the auxiliary force, who was recently detained by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for reportedly holding fraudulently acquired Philippine identity documents.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, who presided over the hearing, also asked how Sy got in the PCGA.

Fernandez admitted that the PCG manual then was not yet that stringent, stating that they are in the process of drafting more stringent measures on how to vet these members.

"Because the PCG, sir, during that time, I think even accepted foreign nationals, sir. Because this is a socio-civic organization, sir. This is not really an organic portion of the Philippine Coast Guard, sir," Fernandez added.

Hontiveros said that while foreign nationals have been accepted into the PCGA before, these other countries do not "hit and run" PCG vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa also asked if PCGA members are given security clearance and to what level.

Fernandez said that those of the PCGA have no security clearance of any kind because they should not be privy to any law enforcement or security functions of the PCG, since they are just there to help them in safety and environmental protection.

However, the PCG official said that they cannot categorically say that they do not pose any threat to national security.

"Because they are also attending some of our functions. And, you know, sir, intelligence can be gathered from different sources. Even from simple conversations, if you are really a well-trained agent, sir, you can gather intelligence," he added.

Hontiveros also pointed out that since they can attend social functions, they can develop relationships, and a level of trust and confidence in the PCG.