BI nabs man wanted for economic crimes in China

A Chinese national wanted for economic crimes in his country was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) as he was about to leave the Philippines.

The Bureau of Immigration apprehended Weng Wenmin, 51, just before he was about to board a flight to Hong Kong last Tuesday.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the fugitive was intercepted at the immigration departure area of the Naia Terminal 3.

The suspect presented himself for inspection at the immigration counter before boarding a Cebu Pacific flight to Hong Kong.

“The Chinese Embassy’s police attaché informed us that Weng is wanted for economic crimes in China and that his passport had been canceled by the Chinese government,” Morente said in a statement.

There were no other details about the economic crimes Weng allegedly committed and which crimes he will stand trial for back to China.

Marc Red Mariñas, chief of the BI Port Operations Division, said the duty immigration officer noticed that Weng’s personal details were an exact match with that of a Chinese national in a BI watchlist order.

The BI database showed that last April 20, Morente issued a watchlist order against Weng based on information that the latter is a fugitive and an undesirable alien.

The BI legal division also filed immigration violation charges against the suspect last April 19 for being an undocumented alien and for posing a risk to public interest.

Morente explained that, because of the cancellation of Weng’s passport, the suspect’s working visa issued by the BI is deemed revoked since he is now an undocumented alien.

Following his arrest, Weng was immediately turned over to the BI border monitoring and security unit at the NAIA.

He is now at the BI detention center in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig while awaiting deportation. /atm