Immigration authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 intercepted four Chinese nationals attempting to leave the country without undergoing proper immigration procedures.
The foreign nationals—identified as Zhang Zhaoya, Wang Linmei, Qi Xiangyang, and Chen Wenda—were apprehended by officers from the Bureau of Immigration’s Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES). They were trying to board separate outbound flights to China and Vietnam.
Initial investigation revealed that Zhang has been overstaying since July 2024, while Wang and Qi had overstayed since September 2024. Chen, although holding a valid working visa, failed to present an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC), a requirement for long-term foreign residents leaving the country.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the interception reflects the agency’s strengthened security measures to ensure compliance with immigration laws. “We are implementing redundancy checks, utilizing CCTV systems, and strengthening inter-agency coordination,” he noted.
The four individuals were handed over to the BI’s legal division for inquest and will face charges for violations of Philippine immigration laws.
