By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have arrested two Chinese nationals after they uncovered the involvement of the foreigners in an unauthorized gold processing operation in Sibutad, Zamboanga del Norte, the military said Wednesday.
In a report, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division (1ID) identified the two arrested Chinese as Tao Zhang, 59, from Shaanxi Province, and Chenggong Zhang, 41, from Hubei Province, both in China.
The two were arrested Tuesday in a joint operation by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and Sibutad Municipal Police Station, with security support from units of the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Zampelan, including elements of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade and the 97th Infantry Battalion.
“Authorities implemented BI Mission Order No. 2026-089 for violations of Section 37(a)(7) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, specifically overstaying and engaging in gainful business activities without the required visa or permit,” the 1ID said in its report.
The apprehended Chinese nationals were placed under the custody of BI for appropriate legal proceedings.
The 1ID said the two Chinese nationals were found operating a gold ball-milling facility used to process mineral ore, an activity that may constitute unauthorized mineral processing when conducted without proper permits and regulatory compliance.
Authorities noted that unregulated mineral processing operations can pose environmental, economic and regulatory risks, particularly when conducted without proper authorization.
Security officials said the presence of the Chinese nationals first came to the attention of authorities through ongoing environmental scanning and monitoring activities conducted within the area of operations of 1ID and JTF-Zampelan.
Residents living near the gold ball milling plant had previously raised concerns about the condition of the facility and disputes over rental obligations with the property owner.
Authorities reiterated that foreign nationals engaging in business or economic activities in the Philippines must strictly comply with immigration and regulatory requirements.
The arrest of the two Chinese nationals for violating Philippine immigration law was the second this week in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region.
On Monday, authorities arrested in Pagadian City a Jordanian national linked to the suspects in the December 2025 terror attack in Sydney, Australia, for violation of the Philippine immigration act.
Specifically, the Jordanian was arrested for overstaying and engaging in gainful business without the proper visa or permit. (PNA)
