4 days ago
BI reports 'sharp rise' in PH foreign fugitive arrests
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Monday a "sharp rise" in the number of foreign fugitive arrests in the Philippines during the first half of 2025.
According to the BI, immigration personnel nabbed a total of 268 foreign fugitives from January to June, up from the 69 arrests during the same period last year.
"The Philippines will not be a hiding place for fugitives. We are determined to flush them out and send them back to face justice," Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.
"Our continued cooperation with foreign governments and international law enforcement agencies will ensure that the Philippines remains a secure nation from these fugitives," he said.
Among those arrested was Lee Jihwan, a Korean who was nabbed arrested in January in Talisay City, Cebu for violent robbery in South Korea.
Another Korean, Chu Hoyong, was collared in February for defrauding victims of KRW 2.26 billion using fake real estate collateral. He is considered a high-value target by Korean authorities and is allegedly linked to telecom fraud operations in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, four Japanese believed to be members of the "Luffy" syndicate, were arrested between January and April. They are wanted in their home country for theft, allegedly impersonating police officers to gain entry into homes and carry out robberies.
In May, seven more Japanese connected with the "JP Dragon" syndicate were apprehended for similar crimes. The group is known for targeting elderly victims by posing as authorities and stealing their automated teller machine (ATM) cards and banking details. Their alleged leader, Ryuji Yoshioka, was apprehended in Angeles City, Pampanga last June.
The arrested individuals will undergo deportation proceedings and are to be expelled from the country for being undesirable aliens.
Last week, the BI said it deported more than 1,400 foreigners during the first six months of 2025 for violating the country's immigration laws. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
