NICA monitors mining exec Joseph Sy over national security concerns

The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) continues to monitor mining executive Joseph Sy due to national security concerns, viewing the case as extending beyond criminal liability into broader issues of risk monitoring and national interests.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) had questioned Sy's Filipino citizenship, alleging he may be Chen Zhong Zhen, who purportedly faked his citizenship, and detained him for allegedly holding fake passports and identification cards.

Although the Court of Appeals (CA) had ordered Sy's release and recognized him as a Filipino citizen, the case was dismissed for lack of probable cause.

Sy, who chairs mining firm Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., opted to invoke his right against self-incrimination when questioned about his identity and citizenship during a Senate hearing, citing his ongoing case before the CA.

NICA Director Ferlu Silvio stated that the monitoring is a precautionary measure for risk assessment and interagency awareness, not solely for criminal liability.

Senator Risa Hontiveros had previously noted Sy's fingerprints matched Chen Zhong Zhen's and suggested further examination of Sy's ties to the mining industry.