BI arrests Chinese posing as Filipino

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese man who allegedly misrepresented himself as a Filipino and confirmed to have links with China’s communist party was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Monday, the Bureau of Immigration said.

BI Commissioner Joel Viado said Ronxuan Cai, 40, was arrested at NAIA-1 upon arrival from Sepang, Malaysia.

“We have received validated information from government intelligence forces that Cai has links to the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party. This is a high-profile case given his local influence and reach,” Viado said.

He added that Cai’s arrest raised concerns because of his affiliations with various Chinese organizations in the country.

According to Viado, the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines informed the BI that Cai has connections to Chinese nationals previously arrested for espionage activities in Palawan.

Cai has been using the alias Peter Buenaobra Zhuang. He has been recorded to have actively used a Philippine passport for travel despite being a Chinese citizen.

Information gathered by BI intelligence units also revealed that he has been using other Philippine documents, including a driver’s license as well as birth and marriage certificates.

“We were able to obtain a copy of Cai’s biometrics information from our records and compared it with the biometric records of his supposed Filipino name. It was confirmed that the two individuals are one and the same,” Viado said.

Viado said Cai would remain under BI custody while facing charges.