BI arrests 2 Chinese fugitives in Cebu, Parañaque

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday said it arrested two Chinese fugitives in separate operations in Cebu and Metro Manila.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the foreigners as Zhu Yuanjiang, 25,  and Ma Mingjie, 51.

Zhu was arrested on April 17 in Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City, Cebu while Ma was apprehended two days later in Parañaque City.

Based on investigation, BI said Zhu worked in an online gaming hub in Pasay City that was raided by  local authorities in June 2023 for alleged engagement in various criminal activities, such as human trafficking and cyber fraud.

The BI board of commissioners ordered his expulsion from the country last year.

Tansingco added that the Jiangbei district sub-bureau of the Public Security Bureau in Chongqing, China issued a warrant for the arrest of Ma on Dec. 6, 2017.

Citing Chinese authorities, the BI said Ma and his cohorts tampered with bank accounts and account names of a point of sale (POS) machine merchant which resulted in the unauthorized transfer of over 58 million yuan, or more than $8 million from China Minsheng Banking Corporation to his altered bank account.

Both Chinese nationals are currently detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City while awaiting deportation.