The Bureau of Immigration (BI) took custody of a Chinese national suspected to be a member of a mafia trafficking their citizens in the Philippines.
The Chinese national was identified as a certain Andy Cheng, 38, who was arrested by operatives of the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) last December 13.
Cheng, who also bore numerous aliases, was tagged as a suspect in torture videos of illegal online gaming companies. He was initially arrested by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) Regional Field Unit National Capital Region (RFU-NCR) last December 7 in Alabang, Muntinlupa City but posted bail after 6 days.
“Our operatives immediately arrested him after learning that he was about to post bail, as he is also wanted by the BI for violating immigration laws,” said Tansingco.
It was reported that Cheng allegedly underwent plastic surgery to evade detection by authorities, while firearms and numerous fake IDs were found in his possession. He was also wanted by the BI for misrepresenting himself as a Filipino, and for being an undesirable alien.
“His continued stay here in the country poses a threat to Filipinos, and foreign nationals working here,” said Tansingco. “We will not allow him to continue his illegal activities that sow fear among foreigners in the Philippines,” he added.
BI takes custody of suspected Chinese mafia member
Tansingco then vowed to continue closely working with local law enforcement agencies to locate, arrest, and deport aliens found to be violating immigration laws.
Meanwhile, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco led the week-long year end celebration of the agency held last December 5-9.
The celebration, with the theme ‘Pasasalamat mula sa Bureau of Immigration’, was an opportunity for BI employees to celebrate the achievements of the agency.
Tansingco shared that with the welcoming of the new government last July, numerous plans and projects are lined up for the improvement of the BI.
Among which are introduction of electronic transactions and payments for immigration applications. The eTravel system, a joint project of different border management agencies, was also highlighted as a major achievement of the year.
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