Philippine Immigration Bureau and Court Clash Over “Fake Filipino” Crackdown

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently escalated its crackdown on individuals impersonating Filipinos, leading to the arrest of three Chinese citizens—Xu Yonglian, Lin Jinxing, and Cai Xiji—in Davao on September 5 for allegedly misrepresenting their nationality while holding work or tourist visas. Simultaneously, a conflict emerged between the BI and the judiciary after a Taguig City court ordered the release of another Chinese national, Chen Zhongzhen, citing the BI’s lack of jurisdiction. Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado, asserting strong evidence including biometric records, immediately appealed the court’s decision, drawing parallels to the Alice Guo case and highlighting the complex and high-pressure situation surrounding Chinese citizens’ alleged illegal status in the Philippines.