NBI, BI arrest Korean fugitive staying in PH for nearly 6 years
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) have arrested an individual wanted in Korea for fraud amounting to 10 million Korean won, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said Wednesday.
According to Santiago, the NBI conducted the operation after the Organized and Transnational Crime Division (OTCD) received a communication from Korea in 2023 that the man is wanted in their country.
"From then on, with the help of our Immigration, they started looking for this guy. Finally, they were able to get an asset na naituro na... nandyan lang pala [yung subject] sa Malate," Santiago said in a press briefing.
(From then on, with the help of our Immigration, they started looking for this guy. Finally, they were able to get an asset who gave a tip that the subject was actually just in Malate.)
According to Santiago, the NBI's manhunt operation for other fugitives referred by the Korean Embassy to the Philippine government is ongoing.
"Isa lamang siya sa list (He is only one of the names on the list). Actually, this is the second arrest natin of Korean national who are fugitives from our country," he said.
BI Deputy Spokesperson Melvin Mabulac said that based on travel records, the man arrived in the country in July 2019, classifying him as an overstaying alien.
"Wala siyang ginawang any attempt to extend the status, 'yung Immigration status. That's why it's very violative sa Immigration Law. Overstaying siya. At the same manner din, marami siyang kaso dito at it would warrant the filing of undesirability and puwede siya ma-deport," Mabulac said.
(He made no attempt to extend his immigration status. That's why it's a clear violation of Immigration Law. He's overstaying. At the same time, he has many cases here, which would warrant the filing of undesirability and he can be deported.)
To prevent such cases, Mabulac said the BI has implemented an advanced passenger information system, which connects the country's system to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
"Upon mag-submit sila ng kanilang manifest, wala pa sa ating bansa, there's already an advanced vetting. And we are on the stage wherein ang limang airlines ngayon ang connected," he said
(Upon submitting their manifest, even before they arrive in our country, there's already an advanced vetting. And we are at the stage where five airlines are now connected.)
Meanwhile, NBI-OTCD chief Jerome Bomediano said the fugitive has been charged with estafa, falsification of public documents, malicious mischief, grave threat, damage to property, and human trafficking before Philippine courts. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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