Foreign Nationals in Mindanao Caught Using False Identities to Run Businesses

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MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has uncovered a scheme in Mindanao where foreign nationals use false Filipino identities to establish businesses employing illegal foreign workers.

 

On March 20, BI agents arrested Bangdie Pan, also known as Ditdit, a 50-year-old Chinese national, in Digos City, Davao del Sur. Pan was managing a hardware business registered under a fictitious Filipino citizen's name, whose identity is currently under investigation.

 

Melody Gonzales, the BI’s intelligence division deputy chief for Administration & Operations in Mindanao, reported that the operation involved coordination with several law enforcement and military units, including the Philippine Army and local police forces. Pan was found to be violating immigration laws; he held a work visa for a company in Pasig City but was working illegally in Davao del Sur. Employees confirmed that the business documents were forged and the supposed Filipino owner was non-existent.

 

 

 

In a separate raid on March 24, four more Chinese nationals were apprehended in M'lang, North Cotabato, for illegal work in a chemical manufacturing plant. Those arrested include Zhongyi Tang, 62, Tianpei Wu, 51, Dezhen Liu, 62, and Wang Lianxu, 53. Dezhen Liu had falsely claimed Filipino citizenship using a fraudulent birth certificate and supporting documents.

 

Plant employees revealed that the business was registered under a Filipina who had never been seen since its inception, admitting that the real owner resides in Manila.

 

Joel Viado, Immigration Commissioner, expressed concern about the use of forged documents and fake identities, warning that they could be exploited by foreign operatives potentially embedding in Filipino society. All five Chinese nationals are now facing deportation charges, reported Phil Star.

 

-- 2025-03-27