PHOTO SOURCE: BUREAU OF CUSTOMS (BOC)
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is preparing a deportation case against Chinese national Cao Cheng, the alleged importer of the luxury vehicles owned by couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya.
The BI said on Wednesday it received information from Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao that Cao was arrested in Makati on November 27.
Cao was reportedly apprehended for obstruction of apprehension and prosecution of a criminal offender, illegal use of alias, false representation, and willful misrepresentation of material information.
He was later turned over to the Highway Patrol Group’s Special Operations Division in Camp Crame.
LTO records provided to the BI showed that Cao had used the name “Martin Zhao” in various transactions.
The BI noted that the use of a fraudulent identity raises questions about a foreign national’s fitness to stay in the country.
BI deputy spokesperson Melvin Mabulac said Cao will be moved to the bureau’s detention facility in Taguig after inquest proceedings and a medical examination.
Mabulac added that Cao’s alleged violations may constitute grounds for removal from the Philippines.
“If found guilty, he will be deported and blacklisted in our derogatory records,” Mabulac said.
Authorities have yet to release further details on Cao’s involvement in the importation of the Discaya couple’s luxury vehicles.