The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested two Chinese fugitives wanted for alleged fraud and illegal online gambling, along with another Chinese national accused of overstaying, in Parañaque City.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the fugitives as Jiang Yin, 31, and Li Chuang, 34.
According to the BI, agents from its Fugitive Search Unit arrested the two in separate operations based on intelligence information from Chinese police.
Chinese authorities are seeking Jiang and Li for allegedly operating a large-scale fraud and illegal online gambling business through a mobile application called “Qianneng Wallet.”
The BI said the app was being used by a large criminal syndicate in China that recruited Chinese nationals to help facilitate illegal online gambling activities.
Immigration records showed that Jiang entered the Philippines in 2019 as a temporary visitor but later failed to renew his immigration documents, making him an overstaying alien.
Li, meanwhile, was already included in the BI’s blacklist and watchlist as an undesirable alien.
During the operation against Li, FSU agents also arrested Wang Weixin, 31, another Chinese national found to have overstayed in the Philippines.
The BI said Wang was not a fugitive, but records showed he had already gone beyond his authorized stay and was also covered by an active Hold Departure Order.
All three were taken to the BI’s secure holding facility.
Jiang and Li are set to undergo summary deportation proceedings, while Wang will face separate immigration proceedings for overstaying.
“Our message is clear: the Philippines will never be a refuge for foreign fugitives or members of transnational criminal syndicates,” said Viado. “Those who exploit our immigration system to evade prosecution abroad or engage in illegal activities will be located, arrested, and deported. We will continue strengthening our cooperation with international law enforcement partners to ensure that criminals have no place to hide.”