Joint Immigration and Military Operations Lead to Arrests in Zamboanga Peninsula
In a coordinated effort to enforce Philippine immigration laws, joint operatives from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the 1st Infantry Division (1ID) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have apprehended two Chinese nationals in separate operations across the Zamboanga Peninsula. The military confirmed these arrests on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, highlighting ongoing efforts to regulate foreign nationals' activities in the region.
Details of the Arrests in Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay
The operations, conducted on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, involved collaboration between BI agents and the 102nd Infantry Brigade. In Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, authorities arrested Lieben Chen, also known as Peter Chen. He had been admitted to the Philippines under a 9G pre-arranged employment visa but was found engaged in business activities that exceeded the scope of his authorized employment, constituting a violation of immigration regulations.
Meanwhile, in Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay, Jianhong Liu, alias Kent Sy, was taken into custody. Verification revealed that he was operating and managing a business while holding only a temporary visitor's (tourist) visa, an activity inconsistent with the conditions of his authorized stay in the country.
Legal Proceedings and Additional Persons of Interest
Both individuals are currently under BI custody, pending appropriate administrative proceedings. The 1ID emphasized that these processes will be conducted with full observance of due process and existing laws. Initial findings indicate that the apprehended Chinese nationals are being processed for alleged violations of Section 37(a)(7) (misrepresentation) and Section 45(f) (fraud) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended.
In a related development, the BI has identified two additional Chinese nationals as persons of interest: Lieyong Chen and Weng Yashen, also known as "Serena Adrid Weng." They are under scrutiny for alleged immigration and documentary irregularities, including the irregular acquisition of Philippine Birth Certificates and Philippine Passports. These documents are purportedly connected to travel, property, and business transactions, though these matters remain subject to further validation and administrative action. The 1ID noted that Lieyong and Weng were not arrested during the operations as they were not present at the premises at the time.
Military Support and National Security Implications
Major General Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., commander of the 1ID, expressed full support for the ongoing investigations. He affirmed the division's confidence that outcomes will be determined strictly on the basis of facts, evidence, and the rule of law. In a statement, Barroquillo said, "The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the 1ID, remains steadfast in supporting lawful processes that protect our national security and the integrity of our laws. We respect the authority of our civilian counterparts and trust that this matter will be resolved based on facts, evidence, and due process."
These enforcement actions underscore the BI's mandate to regulate the entry, stay, and activities of foreign nationals in the Philippines. They align with the AFP's Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Operations and the whole-of-nation approach to safeguarding national security and upholding the rule of law. The operations highlight the ongoing collaboration between military and immigration authorities in addressing potential threats to immigration integrity and national security.
