BI: 128 foreign fugitives arrested in 2023

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested in 2023 a total of 128 foreign fugitives wanted for various crimes in their homelands.

In a report to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) said the alien fugitives were captured in various operations conducted nationwide, particularly in areas where the foreigners were hiding or have stayed since they arrived in the country.

Nearly all of the captured fugitives were already deported and are already serving time in prison in their respective countries after being convicted of the crimes they allegedly committed, the bureau added.

The FSU also reported that 39 South Koreans account for the bulk of the arrested fugitives, followed by 25 Chinese nationals, 15 Vietnamese, 12 Taiwanese, 11 Americans and eight Japanese. Offenses committed include involvement in economic crimes, investment scams, illegal gambling, money laundering, telecommunications fraud, robbery and smuggling.

Among the notable arrests in March involved Manpreet Singh and his cohorts. They were tagged as members of an extremist group called the Khalistan Tiger Force in India, which is reportedly known for promoting “acts of terrorism” and targeted killings.

Also arrested in 2023 were Risa Yamada, Fujita Kairi and Sato Shohei for their affiliation with the infamous “Luffy” syndicate, known for a string of robberies in Japan.

Blacklisted

Tansingco said all of them were already included in the immigration blacklist of undesirable aliens. Hence, they are perpetually barred from reentering the country.

He added the operations against the fugitives send a signal that the Philippines is not a refuge or sanctuary for foreign criminals who want to evade arrest and prosecution for crimes they committed in their respective countries.

“Our country is off limits to these foreign fugitives. They are not welcome here, and there will be no letup in our campaign to hunt and deport them so they could be tried for the criminal cases that were filed against them,” the Immigration chief said in a statement.