By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Immigration authorities collared a 44-year-old Chinese fugitive who attempted to extend his tourist visa.
In a news release Wednesday, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the suspect Lin Guangxiu was apprehended Tuesday at the bureau’s head office in Intramuros after authorities found that he is the subject of a red notice from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for drug-related offenses.
The foreigner is wanted for violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
A red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.
“The Philippines will not be a refuge for criminals. We will continue to ensure that our borders remain secure and that those attempting to evade justice are apprehended,” Viado added.
During the visa extension process, BI personnel detected irregularities in Lin’s records and reported the case to Tourist Visa Section chief Raymond Remigio, who coordinated with the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit for Lin’s arrest.
In 2019, Lin and his accomplice were found to possess over 138 pieces of tape-sealed transparent packs containing around 270 kg. of shabu.
Lin is now detained at the BI facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan while awaiting deportation proceedings.
American, Iranian offenders nabbed
Meanwhile, BI intelligence operatives arrested an Iranian and an American in separate operations recently in Pampanga and Isabela provinces, respectively.
Viado said Amirhossein Moghaddasi, 52, and James Brian Dunlap, 68, were apprehended at the Clark Civil Aviation Complex at the Clark Freeport Zone, and in Barangay Silawit, Cauayan City, respectively.
He noted that the two face deportation charges and would remain in BI custody until the implementation of their removal from the country.
Moghaddasi was arrested last Feb. 6 after the BI received a complaint he was working for a company other than his petitioner, despite holding a valid working visa.
Based on their monitoring, BI agents confirmed that Moghaddasi was indeed working in Clark after his previous company already ceased operations.
Meanwhile, Dunlap was arrested on Feb. 10 in Isabela for overstaying, as he has been in the country for almost 25 months in violation of Philippine immigration laws. (PNA)
