The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported the arrest of a Chinese national long wanted by the bureau for overstaying and illegally working in the country.
In a report to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, BI intelligence chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. identified the alien as 30-year-old Zheng Zongyi, who was arrested last May 10 outside his workplace at the central business district in Makati City.
Manahan said Zheng has been on the BI’s wanted list since 2021 when it was found that he never departed since he last arrived in the country on Nov. 22, 2019.
Investigation also revealed that Zheng violated the conditions of his stay as a tourist for engaging in gainful employment here without bothering to apply for a work permit and visa,” Manahan added.
Tansingco immediately ordered the conduct of deportation proceedings against the said Chinese national whom he described as undesirable for blatantly violating Philippine immigration laws.
“Aliens who deliberately violate our laws do not deserve the privilege to stay in our country. They should be sent out and perpetually banned from coming here again,” the BI chief said in a statement.
Zheng is now detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings.
2 American fugitives arrested
Two American fugitives were tracked down and arrested in a separate operation, and are being investigated for charges in the country before deportation.
The Fugitive Search Unit of the Bureau of Immigration quickly arrested US national Rick Lee Crossby at his hotel in Palawan.
Crossby is wanted in Florida on charges of racketeering, organized schemes to defraud, and money laundering.
The BI is investigating whether Crossby recruited any Filipinos for his illegal operation.
“Matagal na siyang pabalik-balik dito sa atin. Ang last entry niya ay 2019 pa,” said BI-FSU chief Rendel Sy. “Nag-issue ang FBI ng warrant sa kanya noong 2020, and from there di na siya bumalik ng US.”