By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has intensified its efforts in arresting and deporting foreign fugitives.
This came after Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado ordered the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU) to strengthen its actions in locating and arresting foreigners who are illegally staying in the country.
He also directed the FSU to 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. Fugitives have no place in the Philippines,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
He also warned foreign fugitives not to attempt to enter or stay in the Philippines, following the deportation of two-high profile fugitives.
On Monday, the BI deported 36-year-old Japanese national Sasaku Yohei, a member of a Cambodia-based telecommunication syndicate engaged in kidnapping, illegal detention, extortion, and fraud.
BI officers also intercepted Australian national Rodrigo Elices, 32, last Nov. 28 at the NAIA Terminal 3 from Abu Dhabi, after he was found to be a subject of a ‘Red Notice’ from the International Criminal Police Organization (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.
He also reportedly served prison time in Bangkok, Thailand for using a stolen passport to enter the country.