ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two Chinese nationals were arrested during operations last Monday, Jan. 19, in the Zamboanga Peninsula by the Bureau of Immigration and the military for allegedly violating Philippine immigration laws.
Lieben Chen, alias Peter Chen, was arrested in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur province for holding a 9G pre-arranged employment visa but operating businesses which are outside the scope of his work permit.
Another Chinese national, Jianhong Liu, alias Kent Sy, was arrested for managing a local business while holding a temporary visitor's visa.
They are facing charges for misrepresentation and fraud under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.
Two other Chinese nationals – Lieyong Chen and Weng Yashen – are considered as persons of interest for allegedly acquiring fraudulent documents such as Philippine birth certificates and passports and eluding possible arrest.
The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that the operations are part of efforts to regulate the stay of foreign nationals in Mindanao.