Senators alarmed by Chinese posing as Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines — Senators have expressed concern over the entry in the country of Chinese nationals posing as Filipinos, complete with Philippine passports reportedly obtained using authentic birth certificates.

The Chinese nationals’ use of Philippine passports and identification cards poses a national security risk, according to Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who reported to the Senate plenary about the fake Filipinos’ unchecked entry with Philippine passports and birth certificates issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

“What made us alarmed is the fact that this involves national security. These are Chinese-speaking individuals with Philippine passports. Before we know it, we are being surrounded by operatives from the People’s Liberation Army of China,” Dela Rosa said during the plenary deliberations on the DFA’s 2024 budget Thursday night.

Sen. Loren Legarda, the DFA’s budget sponsor, said the department is working with authorities to determine if there is an inside job that has allowed foreign nationals to obtain authentic birth certificates from the PSA to obtain a Philippine passport.

Some of these foreigners were also in possession of persons with disabilities cards so that they could be escorted by their supposed Filipino relatives during the passport application, Legarda said.

The issue prompted the Senate, upon a motion by Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, to recall the plenary approval of the PSA’s budget.

The Senate will investigate the incidents of fake Filipinos who turned out to be Chinese, according to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.