TACLOBAN CITY — Two Chinese nationals allegedly working and managing a regional e-bike trading business without proper immigration documents were arrested in a joint operation by government authorities in Barangay 91, Abucay here on Thursday morning, January 29.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI), in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), identified the arrested individuals as Zhu Fulin, 52, and Wu Huoyan, 54, both male.
Authorities said the two were operating and managing Fidelo Trading, a supplier of electric bicycles with 19 branches across Eastern Visayas, Cebu, and the Bicol Region.
During the operation, Zhu reportedly failed to present a valid passport or any immigration documents, while Wu allegedly attempted to pass himself off as a Filipino by presenting a Philippine Identification (PhilID) card.
Immigration officials said Zhu was found to be undocumented, while Wu was cited for misrepresentation. Both were also determined to have overstayed and to be working without the appropriate visas.
The two were initially brought to the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) for documentation before being flown to Manila for inquest proceedings and eventual turnover to the BI Warden Facility.
Initial investigation showed that Fidelo Trading is registered as a One Person Corporation (OPC) under the name of Zhu’s common-law wife. However, authorities noted that the active involvement of undocumented foreign nationals in managing the business raised suspicions of a possible “dummy arrangement” meant to circumvent restrictions on foreign ownership.
Investigators described the case as involving a “tripartite breach” of Philippine laws on immigration, taxation, and public documentation.
The BI said Zhu is also the subject of an active Watchlist Order, while Wu was found in possession of a Philippine National ID despite being a foreign national.
The suspects are now facing multiple charges, including violations of Sections 37(a)(7) and 45 of the Philippine Immigration Act (Commonwealth Act No. 613) for unauthorized employment and failure to secure proper permits; violations of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) for obtaining and using invalid Tax Identification Numbers; and violations of Republic Act No. 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, as well as the Revised Penal Code for misrepresentation and falsification of public documents.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
