Hontiveros flags suspicious ties of mining mogul Joseph Sy, urges Senate probe

Metro Manila, Philippines - Apart from allegedly faking his Filipino citizenship, Senator Risa Hontiveros flagged what she called “suspicious” activities and connections linked to mining magnate Joseph Sy, and called for a deeper Senate investigation.

Sy, chairman of Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (FNI), was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Aug. 21. The Bureau of Immigration said it received information that Sy was using illegally acquired Philippine documents. His fingerprints matched those of Chinese national Chen Zhong Zhen. He is currently detained at the BI facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig, pending deportation.

Born in China

In a privilege speech on Wednesday, Aug. 27, Hontiveros raised concerns over Sy’s role as honorary chairman of the Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce.

“Bakit nakakabahala? Dahil ang organisasyong ito ay may malalim na ugnayan sa Communist Party of China at sa One Belt, One Road initiative nito,” Hontiveros said, referring to China’s global infrastructure strategy.

[Why is this a concern? This organization has close ties with the Communist Party of China and its One Belt, One Road initiative.]

She also cited online articles that stated that Sy was born in Donghua village, Jinjiang City, Fujian province, China, and came to the Philippines at age 17.

FNI maintained that Sy is Filipino and has sought to dismiss his immigration case.

“The Company maintains its position that Mr. Sy is a Filipino citizen and disputes any assertion to the contrary,” it said in a statement.

Hontiveros likened the case to that of former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, who was dismissed after authorities established that she is a Chinese national linked to illegal offshore gaming operations.

“Pilipino daw siya dahil may passport naman at late-registered birth certificate. Pero, hindi ba Mr. president, ganoon din ang ginawa ni Alice Guo,” Hontiveros said.

[The assertion was that he is a Filipino with a Philippine passport, and a late-registered birth certificate. However, Mr. president, wasn’t this the same scheme of Alice Guo?]

Delisted from PCGA

The senator reiterated her concern on how Sy joined the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA), a volunteer organization supporting the PCG in maritime safety.

“Hindi ba tayo kinikilabutan na sa gitna ng tensyon natin sa China, may isang tulad ni Joseph Sy, a foreign national masquerading as Filipino, ang may access, kahit pa social access lang, sa mismong PCG?” Hontiveros said.

[Shouldn’t we be doubly concerned that in the midst of tensions with China, there is a Joseph Sy, a foreign national masquerading as Filipino, who has access, even at a social access level, within PCG?]

“At a time when the West Philippine Sea is a constant flashpoint of foreign incursions, yung mga ganitong klaseng butas sa ating seguridad ay hindi na po katanggap-tanggap [these loopholes in our security are unacceptable],” she added.

In an earlier Senate defense committee hearing on espionage, PCG Capt. Xerxes Fernandez confirmed that Sy has been delisted from the PCGA.

In 2023, 36 other Chinese nationals were also removed from the organization for lack of national security clearance.

Fernandez admitted the potential security risk could not be dismissed.

“We could not say that categorically because they are also attending some of our functions and intelligence can be gathered from different sources, even from simple conversations. If you are really a well-trained agent, you can gather intelligence,” he said.

Mining business

Finally, Hontiveros sounded the alarm on Sy’s vast mining operations, which have long been facing allegations of permit violations, environmental damage, unsafe practices, and bribery.

“Truly, Mr. president, when an individual of questionable citizenship operates in this sector, we are effectively allowing foreign actors to strip our land of wealth while exploiting vulnerabilities and loopholes in our own system,” Hontiveros said.

The senator said all the issues pose a threat to national interest and security.

“Mr. president, I urge our Senate to investigate these links thoroughly,” she said, calling on the chamber to determine who enabled Sy’s late birth registration, PCGA enlistment, and deep involvement in the mining sector.

“Pinaglalaruan na tayo si [We have been given the runaround by] Mr. Joseph Sy aka Chen Zhong Zhen aka Shi Zhenzhong. Dapat may managot [Someone should be held accountable],” she added.