Chinese fugitive involved in P11B embezzlement case arrested in Pasay

Chinese fugitive Xie Haojie presented in a press conference by Philippine authorities following his arrest. FAYE ORELLANA / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese national wanted by the Chinese government for allegedly embezzling public funds equivalent to P11 billion was arrested by Philippine authorities in Pasay City.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said Xie Haojie, 49, a former government official in China is the first high profile fugitive that the Bureau Immigration has arrested for this year.

Morente said  Xie fled from China sometime in March last year and has been hiding from authorities in the Philippines for nearly 10 months.

Immigration agents assisted by operatives from the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), arrested Xie at his condominium unit in Pasay City on January 13, said Morente.

La Yifan, Director for International Cooperation of Beijing’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said Xie is under probe for allegedly embezzling public funds and taking bribes in his capacity as a general manager of a state-owned enterprise,

Xie will be deported to China as soon as Chinese officials can arrange for his transport, the Bureau of Immigration said.

For the meantime, Xie will be detained at the Fugitive Search Unit of the Bureau of Immigration. /muf