BI appeals court order for businessman Joseph Sy release

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is appealing a Taguig City court order directing the release of businessman Joseph Sy, whom the BI identifies as Chinese national Chen Zhong Zhen.

A Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 221, presided by Judge Esperanza M. Cortes, ordered Sy's release through a writ of habeas corpus, citing a lack of jurisdiction in his detention by the BI.

The BI maintains that strong evidence, including biometric records and BI certification presented by Senator Risa Hontiveros, supports their case against Sy and believes he possesses illegally acquired Philippine identity documents.

Sy, who is the chairman of Global Ferronickel Holdings, was taken into custody on August 21 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after the agency received a tip from intelligence sources that the businessman uses illegally acquired Philippine documents.

The BI has appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals.