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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider RTC orders release of businessman Joseph Sy of Global Ferronickel Holdings

RTC orders release of businessman Joseph Sy of Global Ferronickel Holdings

Published Sep 6, 2025 04:33 pm
The Taguig City regional trial court (RTC) has ordered the release of businessman Joseph Sy, chairman of the Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI), from the facility of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
Sy’s release through a writ of habeas corpus issued by the RTC was confirmed on Saturday, Sept. 6, by the BI in a statement.
The BI said it received the document on Sy’s release issued by RTC Judge Esperanza M. Cortes after office hours last Friday, Sept. 5.
The copy of the RTC’s ruling on the grant of the writ of habeas corpus was not immediately available.
Sy, 60, was arrested by the BI upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 from Hong Kong last Aug. 21. The BI found that Sy is a Chinese national Chen Zhong Zhen.
During his arrest, he was found in possession of a Philippine passport that was issued in 2021 and several Philippine identity cards that showed he is a Filipino.
With detention, Sy filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus that was granted by the RTC.
The Writ of Habeas Corpus, considered the most powerful writ, is a legal remedy against arbitrary arrest and detention. Through the writ, a court can order a person who arrested and detained another person to bring the arrested and detained person personally before the court for judicial inquiry.
Earlier, the BI said that based on its records Chen Zhong Zhen has been in the Philippines for decades and obtained a long-term visa through Republic Act (RA) No. 7919, the Alien Social Integration Act of 1995.
In the same statement, the BI expressed hope that the deportation case of Chen Zhong Zen will be treated with utmost diligence by the courts.
It said that while the BI respects the ruling of the RTC, it pointed out that there is strong evidence supported by BI biometric records.
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