Senator Risa Hontiveros has likened the case of detained businessman Joseph Sy to that of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, describing him as “Alice Guo Part 2” for allegedly posing as a Filipino despite being a Chinese national.
According to Hontiveros, Sy had reportedly infiltrated the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) as early as 2018, where he was even granted an honorary rank under the previous administration.
“Parang si Alice Guo Part 2 ito: nagpapanggap na Pilipino, may pekeng passport, at mga pekeng ID,” Hontiveros said in a Facebook post on Monday, August 25.
The senator warned that Sy’s case poses a serious "national security" threat, stressing that his entry into the PCGA, the civilian support arm of the Coast Guard tasked with protecting the country’s maritime security—underscores how loopholes in the system can be exploited.
"Mukhang andyan pa rin ang mga butas sa pagproseso ng ating nasyonalidad," Hontiveros said.
"Bagama’t voluntary at non-government ang PCGA, nakakalungkot isipin na nagka-access si JOSEPH SY sa mga tao at events kung saan maaaring napag-uusapan ang national security," she added.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) identified Sy as Chen Zhong Zhen, a Chinese national who was arrested on August 21 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for allegedly falsifying his Philippine citizenship and other identification documents.
He is now being held at Camp Bagong Diwa pending deportation proceedings.
Sy is the chairman of Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., one of the country’s largest nickel mining companies.
However, the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) has come to Sy’s defense, calling his arrest “unlawful” and damaging to investor confidence in the mining sector.
The group insisted that 'Sy is a legitimate Filipino citizen' and urged authorities to release him immediately.
