Suspected Chinese mafia involved in human trafficking now under BI custody

INQUIRER file photo / ALEXIS CORPUZ

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has taken under custody a suspected Chinese mafia member who was allegedly involved in human trafficking, the BI chief announced on Thursday.

The suspect, a 38-year-old man named Andy Cheng, was arrested on Tuesday by agents of the BI’s fugitive search unit. He was initially arrested by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on December 7, after he was tagged as a suspect in torture videos of illegal online gaming companies.

Cheng posted bail after six days but the BI intervened.

“Our operatives immediately arrested him after learning that he was about to post bail, as he is also wanted by the BI for violating immigration laws,” said Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

Cheng allegedly underwent plastic surgery to avoid recognition and detection from authorities, after he was found with firearms and fake IDs.

“He was also wanted by the BI for misrepresenting himself as a Filipino and for being an undesirable alien,” the bureau said.

Tansingco said that the BI will work closely with local law enforcement agencies to continue locating, arresting and deporting aliens who are found guilty of violating the law.

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JPV