Bureau of Immigration nabs 2 suspected Chinese fugitives

A Chinese fugitive wanted for his alleged involvement in a Philippines Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) scam hub in Las Piñas City in July 2023 was nabbed by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Mandaue City, Cebu.

In Mindoro, a Chinese national was arrested for suspected credit card fraud.

In John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report Thursday, the BI said the suspect was charged for working without a permit or for being improperly documented when he was nabbed in the POGO firm last year. However, he escaped from authorities and fled to Cebu to avoid deportation. 

“Reportedly may victims din sa China kaya gusto nila ito maibalik sa China upang dun nila maumpisahan ang imbestigasyon,” said BI fugitive search unit chief Rendel Sy.

(Reportedly, he had victims in China so they want him back there.)

“Napakaimportante na ma-deport. Kasi ang ginagawa nila pag na-release sila ay nagse-set up sila ng kani-kanilang office, tuluy-tuloy ang pang-iiscam nila,” Sy added. 

(It’s important that they will be deported. We found out that after their release, they usually set up another office here and continue their erring activities.)

Meanwhile, a Chinese national who was in hiding for alleged credit card fraud was apprehended in Mindoro. 

“During our surveillance napag-alaman natin na nag-setup siya ng business sa Mindoro. Nag-setup kami ng tracker teams, nasundan namin na sa Mindoro na naglalagi,” Sy added. 

(During our surveillance, we found out he set up another business in Mindoro. We created tracker teams and we located him there.)

The BI is verifying if the suspect had victims in the Philippines before his deportation process. He is now detained in the BI detention facility in Bicutan. — Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA Integrated News