2 Chinese nationals wanted for economic crimes arrested

MANILA, Philippines — Two Chinese nationals involved in economic crimes in their home country were nabbed and will be deported, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Wednesday.

The Chinese nationals were identified as 56-year-old Chen Yanhua and 34-year-old Xu Xiaojun who were arrested in separate operations in Parañaque City.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said Chen was arrested at a five-star hotel by operatives from the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU) last Sunday, November 17.

The Chinese embassy said Chen and her cohorts defrauded seven million yuan or roughly one million dollars by convincing their victims to invest their money.

Chen and her cohorts promised that their investments would gain profit and interest.

In September 2018, the Chinese government sought for Chen and seven others’ arrest and deportation, prompting Morente to issue a deportation warrant for Chen’s arrest.

“We will deport her immediately as her passport was already canceled by the Chinese government, making her an undocumented alien… She is also an undesirable alien due to her record as a wanted fugitive,” Morente said.

Meanwhile, BI FSU Chief Bobby Raquepo said Xu was arrested on Wednesday in Baclaran for his alleged involvement in bank card fraud in his home country.

Raquepo said Xu’s passport was canceled by the Chinese government, which makes him an undocumented alien in the country.

“We received information from Chinese authorities about his crime a few days ago, hence we immediately conducted a case buildup and requested that a mission order be issued by the Commissioner to effect the arrest,” said Raquepo.

The two are currently confined at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending the implementation of their deportation.

Edited by JE