By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Authorities arrested a Chinese national carrying the surname “Guo” posing as a Filipino in Bohol, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Tuesday.
Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Guo Jingjin, 48, was arrested along Alona Beach Road, Purok 7, Barangay Tawala, Panglao on Feb. 17.
BI Fugitive Search Unit Chief Rendel Ryan Sy said the operation stemmed from a tip alleging that Guo was operating several businesses in Panglao using Filipino “dummies” or nominees to circumvent constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership.
Authorities found that the foreigner had a driver’s license issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) identifying him as Filipino, despite official immigration records confirming that he is Chinese.
BI records show that Guo last entered the Philippines in 2018 under a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa.
While he has no active derogatory record in the BI database, verification with the LTO confirmed that his license is valid until February 2032, indicating Filipino citizenship, which directly contradicts his immigration status.
Viado cited the controversy involving former Bamban mayor Alice Guo, who was removed from office amid findings that she was not Filipino.
“Acquiring government identification by falsely claiming Filipino citizenship is not a minor technical violation. It is a direct affront to our sovereignty and our laws,” he said in a statement.
“If you fabricate your identity to do business, acquire privileges, or blend into our communities, it is already a violation, and expect that you will face the necessary sanctions.”
The foreigner will be held at the BI’s holding facility while facing the deportation charge filed against him. (PNA)
