Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) intercepted a Chinese fugitive wanted by authorities in the People’s Republic of China (PROC) for involvement in illegal gambling.
In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the passenger as 22-year-old Zeng Zhanhong, who was intercepted last December 27 at the NAIA Terminal 1 as he was about to board an Air China flight to Beijing.
Tasnsingco said Zeng was intercepted after the immigration officer who processed his departure found that he is the subject of an Interpol blue notice for being a fugitive from justice.
Zeng is allegedly a member of a criminal fraud syndicate in Shandong province, China, and that an arrest and detention order was issued against him by authorities there.
He was accused of operating an illegal gambling website in the Internet, which is a serious criminal offense under Chinese law.
Tansingco said the case was immediately coordinated with counterparts in Beijing, where he was arrested upon arrival by Chinese policemen who were waiting for him at the airport.
“His arrest became possible after the BI made the proper coordination with Chinese authorities in Manila,” the BI Chief said.
Chinese fugitive intercepted at NAIA
Meanwhile, the BI’s Border Control and Intelligence Unit reported the arrest of an alleged Filipina illegal recruiter who was intercepted at the NAIA while she was about to leave the country.
The suspect, whose name was withheld pending the resolution of her case, was a 62-year-old female reportedly involved in the illegal recruitment of a victim to Dubai.
She was held at the NAIA 1 terminal last December 22 before she could depart via a Scoot Airways flight to Singapore.
The suspect, who was turned over to the National Bureau of Investigation, was reportedly charged with illegal recruitment before the Davao City regional trial court which issued a warrant for her arrest. She faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for violation of Republic Act No. 8042.
Meanwhile, Tansingco, who celebrated his first 100 days heading the BI, initiated numerous projects aiming to fast-track the modernization of the Bureau.
He spent his first day as Commissioner inspecting the BI Main office, and proceeded on his second day to conduct an inspection of the BI operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
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