COMMODORE Christopher Auro, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard District Southern Visayas, speaks to an alleged undocumented Chinese who was stopped in a seaport in Barangay Mantaangan, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, April 28, after attempting to board a vessel bound for Ajuy, Iloilo. (PCGDSV)
BACOLOD CITY – A 42-year-old Chinese national was stopped in a seaport in Barangay Mantaangan, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, April 28, after attempting to board a vessel bound for Ajuy, Iloilo without proper documents.
Commodore Christopher Auro, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard District Southern Visayas (PCGDSV), said that authorities were alerted by the FF Cruz Shipping Co. about a suspicious foreigner seeking help to travel.
He told authorities that he planned to reach Boracay via Ajuy to meet his girlfriend, who supposedly works in a hotel there.
However, the Chinese could not provide her girlfriend’s full name or contact details.
He claimed he originally arrived in the Philippines in 2018 as a tourist but has since overstayed, according to Auro. The Chinese alleged that he lost his documents and belongings in Makati City.
He recounted traveling through several areas, including Bicol, Bogo, Cebu, and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental before walking for nearly a week to reach E.B. Magalona town.
Authorities said he had no derogatory record and remained cooperative, but Auro emphasized that there was no proof to his allegations, and that he will be subjected to further investigation.
He has been turned over to the Bureau of Immigration for identity verification.
Auro commended the shipping company’s vigilance and swift response of authorities, adding that the Coast Guard will continue tightening port security to prevent undocumented individuals from traveling within the region.