THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has intensified its crackdown on foreigners allegedly abusing Philippine immigration and identity systems, arresting a Chinese woman accused of posing as a Filipino and a 74-year-old American fugitive wanted in the United States.
The two arrests, carried out separately in August, were part of the BI’s intelligence-driven enforcement operations in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen border security and protect Filipinos from foreigners who may pose security or public safety risks.
The first case involved a 33-year-old Chinese woman who was arrested by Intelligence Division operatives shortly after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 from China aboard a Xiamen Airlines flight.
BI intelligence agents had been tracking information indicating that the woman was allegedly using a Filipino identity.
Upon her arrival, operatives investigated and verified her true identity using her Chinese passport, which bore her name.
The woman was subsequently arrested for alleged misrepresentation and fraud in violation of Philippine immigration laws and for being considered an undesirable foreign national.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said that the case showed how foreigners could attempt to exploit weaknesses in identity and government systems.
“Pretending to be Filipino is not a minor immigration violation — it is a serious threat to the integrity of our identity and government systems,” Viado said.
He warned that BI intelligence operatives would continue tracking foreigners suspected of manipulating Philippine identities and documents.
“If you falsely claim to be Filipino, we will find you, expose the deception, and hold you accountable under Philippine law,” Viado said.
In a separate operation, BI Fugitive Search Unit agents arrested American William Joseph Sullivan, 74, in Cavite on Aug. 19.
The arrest was carried out in coordination with the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service-Overseas Criminal Investigations and the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Child Protection Force Unit.
Sullivan was reportedly wanted in the United States for violating the conditions of his supervised release. US authorities sought BI assistance in locating him after the Minnesota Department of Corrections issued a warrant in April 2026.
BI records showed that Sullivan entered the Philippines earlier this year and was admitted as a temporary visitor.
“Foreign nationals who come to the Philippines must understand that our country is not a refuge for fugitives,” he said, particularly those accused or convicted of crimes involving sexual exploitation or abuse.
The BI said Sullivan’s arrest was also part of the agency’s #ShieldKids campaign, which seeks to strengthen enforcement against foreign sexual predators and other individuals who may exploit the Philippines as a base for criminal activities.