THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) said its operatives arrested last year a total of 180 foreign fugitives who are wanted for various crimes in their homelands.
In a report to Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado, the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) said the alien fugitives were captured in operations conducted by the unit’s operatives in various places nationwide where the said aliens have stayed while hiding in the country.
“Nearly all of them were already deported to their countries of origin where they are currently serving time in prison after being convicted for crimes they committed,” said BI-FSU acting chief Rendel Ryan Sy.
Viado commended the FSU for a job well done, as he noted that the total number of fugitives apprehended last year was significantly higher than the 128 outlaws arrested in 2023.
Viado reiterated that there will be no letup in the BI’s intensified campaign to run after wanted foreign criminals who have taken refuge here to evade prosecution for their crimes.
“As we have repeatedly declared, the Philippines is off limits to all foreign fugitives. This country is not a sanctuary for alien criminals,” the BI chief said. “The order of the President is clear–protect our nation from external threats,” he added.
The FSU said 74 Korean nationals account for the bulk of the arrested aliens, followed by 62 Chinese nationals, 12 Taiwanese, 11 Japanese, seven Americans, two Italians, and two Australians.
Also in the list is a Briton, a Canadian, a German, an Indian, an Indonesian, a Jordanian, a Kyrgystani, a Liberian, a Nigerian, and a Serbian.
Offenses committed by the aliens include economic crimes, investment scams, illegal gambling, money laundering, telecommunications fraud, robbery, and narcotics trading.
Among the notable arrests was the capture of six Japanese members of the notorious “Luffy” gang – Takayuki Kagashima, Sawada Masaya, Ueda Koji, Sjuzuki Seiji, Kiyohara Jun, Nagaura Hiroki – who are wanted for involvement in scams, extortion and fraud activities.
Also described as high profile arrests were those of Australian Gregor Johann Haas and Serbian Predrag Mirkovic, who are wanted for illegal drugs.
Indian-Nepalese Joginder Geong was also captured due to charges of murder, extortion and robbery.
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