MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros raised concerns over national security following the apprehension of businessman Joseph Sy, who was reportedly able to join the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Auxiliary despite allegedly posing as a Filipino citizen.

Sy, chair of mining firm Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc., was recently detained by the Bureau of Immigration for reportedly holding fraudulently acquired Philippine identity documents.

“Parang si Alice Guo Part 2 ito: nagpapanggap na Pilipino, may pekeng passport, at mga pekeng ID. Mukhang andyan pa rin ang mga butas sa pagproseso ng ating nasyonalidad. Bagama’t voluntary at non-government ang PCGA, nakakalungkot isipin na nagka-access si Sy sa mga tao at events kung saan maaaring napag-uusapan ang national security,” Hontiveros said.

The senator said Sy joined the PCG Auxiliary in 2018 and even received an honorary rank under the previous administration. She warned that his involvement with the group, tasked to support the country’s maritime security, poses risks if his identity documents are fraudulent.

Hontiveros also noted that Sy’s company entered into a partnership with Chinese state-owned Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co., Ltd. during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to China in 2016. The agreement covered mining operations in Palawan, a province considered strategic in the country’s territorial dispute with China.

“Ano kaya ang totoong agenda nitong si Josephy Sy? Is he simply conducting business in Palawan, or is there more to his operations than meets the eye?” she asked.

The senator urged the Senate to probe Sy’s affiliations, background, and the circumstances under which he obtained Philippine documents.

“Ngayong Araw ng mga Bayani, alalahanin natin na hindi lamang sa teritoryo nasusukat ang ating soberanya. Bantayan din natin ang ating mga institusyon, proseso, at maging mga dokumento na nagpapatunay ng ating pagka-Pilipino. Nakataya rin dito ang ating watawat,” she added.