Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado warned foreign fugitives not to attempt to enter or stay in the Philippines lest face arrest and deportation.
The BI chief gave the statement after the recent deportation of two high-profile fugitives.
The agency earlier reported the deportation of Japanese national Sasaki Yohei, 36 to Tokyo last December 9 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 after he was reported by Japanese authorities to be a member of a Cambodia-based telecom fraud syndicate engaged in kidnapping, illegal detention, extortion, and fraud.
The BI also reported the interception of Australian Rodrigo Elices, 32, last November 28 at the NAIA Terminal 3 after he arrived from Abu Dhabi after BI officers learned that he is subject of a red notice from the Interpol.
Viado also cited information obtained by the BI that Elices is a member of the notorious “Hells Angels” gang, an internationally-outlawed club of motorcycle riders allegedly involved in organized crime, including drug trafficking.
The BI-Interpol unit said Elices is wanted by Australian authorities for being an alleged member of a crime syndicate engaged in the production and sale of illegal drugs and firearms in Sydney. Elices also reportedly served prison time in Bangkok, Thailand for using a stolen passport to enter the country.
Viado, who attended on Monday a forum of immigration officers worldwide, said that he was able to connect with counterparts from different countries to discuss coordination efforts to better intercept fugitives.
He said he has ordered the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) headed by Rendel Ryan Sy to intensify their efforts in locating and arresting illegal aliens that might be hiding in the country, as well as explore data sharing agreements to receive information on fugitive records in a more timely manner.
“The faster we receive critical information, the faster we can arrest and deport these fugitives,” said Viado. “Fugitives have no place in the Philippines,” he added.
