The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has raised concerns that foreigners obtaining Philippine citizenship through late birth certificate registration could be a systemic issue.
This came after the arrest of mining executive Joseph Sy, accused of using fake documents to secure citizenship, a method allegedly similar to that of detained former Bamban mayor Alice Guo.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval warned that having a legitimate birth certificate can allow foreigners to obtain numerous Philippine documents, which could be exploited for espionage or criminal activities.
Sy, who reportedly has ties to the Communist Party of China, is currently detained pending deportation, while his company, Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., has accepted his voluntary leave as chairman.
The Chamber of Mines and the Philippine Nickel Industry Association have condemned Sy’s detention, calling it unlawful and a violation of his constitutional rights.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 29, 2025
