The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has intensified its operations against 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 '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," he added.
The second arrest involved William Joseph Sullivan, a 74-year-old American wanted in the United States for violating the conditions of his supervised release. The Minnesota Department of Corrections issued a warrant for his arrest in April 2026. Sullivan was arrested in Cavite on Aug. 19. BI records showed he entered the Philippines earlier this year and was admitted as a temporary visitor.
In a separate operation reported on the BI's website on Thursday, August 27, a 34-year-old Chinese national with suspected links to previous operations of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) was arrested by BI operatives in Barangay 16, Bacolod City, following information from government intelligence sources. The suspect, identified as Xie, failed to present any identification and was later found to have not extended his visa, making him an overstaying alien. The BI also tagged him as an undesirable alien, given his alleged links to online gaming operations. Before traveling to Bacolod, the suspect, according to the BI, admitted to having previously worked in Manila as a fruit vendor.
Police Major Eugene Tolentino, head of Police Station 1, said that BI coordinated with them regarding the operation, but they have no idea regarding the suspect's background and other information, including why he was in the city, as it is confidential. The suspect was immediately transferred to the BI's holding facility in Bicutan, where he will remain while facing deportation charges filed against him.
The BI's operation in Bacolod was also in coordination with the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, in line with the directive of President Marcos Jr. to ensure that the country is protected from illegal aliens abusing the hospitality of the country. In a statement, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado emphasized that the agency's strong coordination with the intelligence community allows the BI to multiply its forces and monitor movements of foreign nationals nationwide.