MANILA — A Chinese national allegedly posing as a Filipino was arrested in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, with authorities now investigating how he obtained a Philippine driver’s license that was reportedly used in assuming a false identity.

According to a report on “24 Oras Weekend,” operatives from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the National Bureau of Investigation–Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-OTCD) served a deportation order and warrant at a subdivision in Sta. Rosa.

However, the suspect was not immediately located, and authorities initially encountered only a woman at the residence.

The suspect was later tracked within the subdivision and was reportedly caught while jogging. He allegedly attempted to evade arrest but was eventually subdued by operatives.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the Chinese national was arrested for allegedly using falsified documents identifying himself as Filipino, including a Philippine-issued driver’s license.

Authorities also recovered his Chinese passport, valid until 2027, along with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) driver’s license.

While the surname on both documents matched, the driver’s license reportedly carried a Filipino-sounding first and middle name and indicated Filipino nationality.

LTO Chief Asst. Sec. Markus Lacanilao said records showed the foreign national applied for a driver’s license that was later used to support a false Filipino identity.

“This is not a conversion of a license. A foreign-issued license converted into a Philippine license—that is not the case,” he said.

Records showed the suspect first applied for a driver’s license in 2010 and renewed it in 2018 in Bulacan, where his nationality was listed as Filipino.

“They use Filipino names. They try to hide by pretending to be Filipino-Chinese, but they are actually Chinese nationals posing as Filipinos,” Lacanilao said.

The suspect is currently detained at a Bureau of Immigration facility and has not yet issued a statement, though he is reportedly preparing to file an appeal before the Department of Justice.

Authorities said a deeper investigation is ongoing, including a review of other possible documents issued under his identity and the potential cancellation of his driver’s license.

“(Revocation) is automatic. We will cancel his driver’s license, and the places where it was issued must also be investigated,” Lacanilao said.

He also warned that such documents could be used for acquiring properties, vehicles, and other fraudulent transactions.

Matibag said the case raises national security concerns.

“National security issue din yan kasi kung maraming papasok dito na mga ibang nationals at magiging Pilipino, they can already occupy sensitive position sa government. Kaya titingnan yan,” he said.