Chinese national nabbed at NAIA for faking Filipino citizenship

A Chinese national, who claimed to be a victim of human trafficking, was apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for falsely presenting himself as a Filipino.

The 40-year-old individual arrived in the Philippines after being repatriated from Myanmar, where he had been working.

He had entered Thailand with a permanent residence visa under RA 7919 using his Chinese passport, as advised by recruiters to avoid questioning.

While in Myanmar, he worked for employers who initially compensated him but later punished him, leading him to pay over P32,000 for his release.

After his release, Thai immigration authorities arrested and detained him for three months.

The man feared deportation to China and stated he has lived in the Philippines since he was six months old, having been brought here by his mother.

He is currently detained at the Bureau of Immigration holding facility in Bicutan, Taguig, pending deportation charges.

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco reiterated that Philippine citizenship cannot be bought.