By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) fugitive search unit (FSU) have arrested three Chinese nationals caught by Tawi-Tawi police while attempting to illegally cross Philippine borders.
In a statement on Tuesday, BI FSU Chief Rendel Ryan Sy identified the suspects as Zhang Xiaofeng, 36; Guo Jinxia, 35; and Zhong Xiongwei, 54, who were arrested on Aug. 29 after being found to also be overstaying.
Personnel of the Mapun Municipal Police Station (MPS) under the Tawi-Tawi Police Provincial Office (PPO) reportedly intercepted Zang and Guo during a routine checkpoint at the Port of Mapun.
Meanwhile, Zhong was intercepted by the 1st Special Operations Unit, Special Boat Crew of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime group during a separate port inspection activity.
The apprehensions were conducted in coordination with the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Information and Technology Management Division (PIT), Regional Intelligence Unit 9.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said they have been actively collaborating with local law enforcement agencies in areas being used as illegal migration corridors or “backdoor” to address cases of foreign nationals illegally crossing maritime borders.
The apprehended foreigners were temporarily held under the custody of the Tawi-Tawi PPO and the PNP Maritime Group then transferred to the BI’s facility in Bicutan on Sept. 1, where they will remain while facing their deportation case.
Viado said the arrests were in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen monitoring of coastal areas to prevent illegal cross-border activities. (PNA)
