MANILA, Philippines—Four foreigners from China and Hongkong bound for Canada were arrested by Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) for misrepresentation and a failed bid to use invalid travel documents.
The four aliens were apprehended at the Naia Terminal 2 on Friday after they arrived aboard a Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight from Hongkong, the BI reported.
The transiting aliens were stopped by BI officers after airline personnel doubted their documents.
Upon questioning, the BI’s Travel Control and Enforcement Unit (TCEU) found that the two Hongkong nationals, identified as Lam Mik Ho and Mak Hin Chun Adrian, were supposed to board their connecting flight to Toronto, Canada.
The duo checked in with the airline’s transfer desk upon landing, but airline representatives were surprised when another two foreigners, who were later identified as Chinese nationals Chen Kaihui and He Chaorong, presented Hong Kong passports bearing Lam and Mak’s names.
Forensic document examination revealed that the Chinese nationals presented fake Hong Kong passports, and merely assumed the identities.
Chinese passports were later discovered in their possession, the BI added.
Canadian authorities likewise cancelled the electronic travel authorization (ETA) issued to Lam and Mak due to misrepresentation.
Upon learning of the incident, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered the inclusion of the four aliens in the immigration blacklist.
“These undesirable aliens should be banned from entering our country. They have no right to use the Philippines as a jump off point to enter other countries illegally. Let this serve as a warning. You will be caught,” Morente said.
The four were immediately sent back to Hong Kong and were barred from re-entering the Philippi