AN overstaying Chinese was intercepted by immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 as he was about to leave the country.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said operatives of BI Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section barred Zhang Chao, 31, from boarding a Malaysian Airways flight to Kuala Lumpur.
Viado said Zhang was found to have overstayed for two months and was attempting to illegally pass through immigration.
Immigration officers conducted a redundancy check and found Zhang had overstayed since December 2024.
“He was found to have been processed by an immigration officer who we suspect facilitated his illegal departure,” said Viado.
Viado added that Zhang’s passport was marked cleared by one officer despite him being unable to properly extend his visa.
“We have initiated an investigation on this matter, and will recommend to the Department of Justice to file the appropriate case against the said officer,” the BI chief said.
He reiterated the agency is implementing a “one-strike policy” and will not hesitate to push charges against erring officers.
Zhang was turned over to the BI’s legal division for booking and initiation of deportation proceedings.
He will remain in the BI’s detention facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig pending deportation. – With Osias Osorio
