BI to deport fugitive Chinese national

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to deport a Chinese fugitive previously arrested by authorities for alleged illegal drug possession. According to a report from Dennis Alcedo, head of the Immigration’s Border Control and Intelligence Unit, Chen Yiye, 48, was intercepted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 on Jan. 5 while attempting to fly to China via a China Southern flight. Chen’s records showed that his name has been included in the Immigration’s blacklist and was found to be a fugitive with a deportation case issued in 2017. The Immigration said Chen was in the country as a retiree and was reportedly apprehended last August 2016 in Angeles City, Pampanga, for possession of 36.58 kg of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, valued at P100 million. The BI, however, is clueless about the status of the alleged drug case against Chen, said Dana Sandoval, spokesperson for the BI. Chen was transferred to the BI’s warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig, pending his eventual deportation.

—TINA G. SANTOS