THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) arrested a Chinese man bearing a fake Vanuatu passport, which he had used repeatedly in traveling to Japan and Thailand and reentering the Philippines.
Immigration Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco said the man was intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 before flying to Bangkok.
During the investigation, BI officers noted the man spoke fluently in Chinese and was using a mobile phone in Chinese settings. He also had never gone to Vanuatu and is unaware of the Pacific Island’s culture, the BI added.
Mr. Tansingco said foreigners assuming fake identities and using fake documents are violating the Philippines’ immigration laws and should be repatriated to their countries of origin.
“If we are able to establish that he is actually a Chinese citizen and that his Vanuatu passport was merely procured from fixers to conceal his real identity, he will be summarily deported and banned from re-entering the country,” he said.
At present, the man is detained in Taguig City while awaiting legal proceedings. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
