PAGADIAN CITY — Authorities have apprehended four Chinese nationals in separate operations across the Zamboanga Peninsula this week, marking an intensified crackdown on foreign nationals violating Philippine immigration and documentation laws.
The operations were a joint effort between the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
On April 14, 2026, security forces implemented a Mission Order at Unisales along Gov. Camins Avenue. The raid resulted in the arrest of three individuals from Fujian, China:
- Lin Weidong, 57
- Xie Meiya, 54
- Qiu Meiyu, 41
Charges: The trio was cited for violating immigration and public documentation laws. They have been officially tagged as “undesirable aliens” under existing operational orders, with authorities noting they pose a risk to public interest, national security, and public order.
Two days later, a second raid was conducted at 3 Dragon Hardware in Ipil. This operation led to the arrest of:
- Lin Wenyu (alias Anson Lais Lim), 52, also from Fujian.
Specific Allegations: Investigators revealed that Lin had allegedly falsified his Philippine citizenship to illegally obtain government-issued IDs and corporate documents.
- Seized Contraband: During the hardware store raid, troops discovered and seized a cache of smuggled goods, which surprisingly included exotic animals.
- Legal Action: Lin faces charges under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 and the Revised Penal Code for falsification.
Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., commander of the 1st Infantry Division, praised the seamless coordination between the military and civilian law enforcement agencies.
“These decisive actions reflect the Armed Forces’ unwavering resolve to safeguard national security, preserve public order, and ensure that the rule of law is upheld across the Zamboanga Peninsula,” Barroquillo stated.
The arrested individuals are currently undergoing documentation and disposition as the government continues to investigate potential links to larger illegal networks operating in Mindanao.