MANILA, Philippines— The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday reported the arrest of a Chinese national suspected of having links to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

The BI identified the suspect as Xu Shiyan, who was apprehended on May 21.

According to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, information from Melody Penelope Gonzales, head of the BI’s Mindanao Intelligence Task Group (MITG), indicated that Xu is an incorporator of the Philippine Sanjia-Steel Corporation (Phil-Sanjia).

Among Phil-Sanjia’s incorporators is Antonio Lim, said to be the alias of Tony Yang — a Chinese national previously investigated by lawmakers over alleged involvement in illegal POGO operations. Yang was also arrested by the BI in 2024 for allegedly misrepresenting himself as a Filipino.

Xu was found in possession of several Philippine identification documents, including birth certificates, Philsys slips, SSS forms, UMID forms, Postal ID, TIN ID, a driver’s license, and a Commission on Elections (COMELEC) registration slip — all bearing his personal information.

Phil-Sanjia came under scrutiny earlier this year after it was mentioned in a congressional hearing as being linked to illegal POGO activities.

“We will not allow foreign nationals to abuse our systems, falsify their identities, and use Philippine documents to cover their tracks,” Viado said.

“The Bureau is fully committed to supporting the President’s campaign to rid the country of criminal elements linked to illegal POGOs,” he added.