By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an investigation after reports emerged that a Chinese fugitive arrested in Makati City for telecom fraud was allegedly shielded by armed individuals, including an active police officer and a military reservist.
“This is very concerning that an active police officer is allegedly involved in protecting a fugitive,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement Friday.
“This is a clear betrayal of public trust if proven. Hindi natin kukunsintihin ang kahit sinong pulis na sangkot sa kriminal na aktibidad (We will not tolerate police officers’ involvement in criminal activities).”
Nartatez said the PNP has already initiated an investigation in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to determine the extent of the officer’s connection to the fraud syndicate.
The 29-year-old foreign national was apprehended on Wednesday by BI operatives, in coordination with the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines, along Mercedes Street in Barangay Bel-Air.
According to the BI, the fugitive is linked to multi-million-peso telecom scams abroad. He was tracked down in Barangay Bel-Air following an intelligence tip-off.
BI records showed that the fugitive entered the Philippines in November 2019 as a temporary visitor but has remained in the country without any valid extension or visa conversion, making him an overstaying alien.
The BI also said the fugitive is the subject of an existing blacklist order for previous immigration violations. (PNA)
