A TOTAL of 180 foreigners wanted in their countries for various crimes were arrested in the country in 2024, the Bureau of Immigration said yesterday.
In a report to Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, the agency’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) said of the 180 foreign fugitives, 74 were South Koreans, 62 Chinese, 12 Taiwanese, 11 Japanese, seven Americans, two Italians, and two Australians.
Also on the list is a Briton, a Canadian, a German, an Indian, an Indonesian, a Jordanian, a Liberian, a Nigerian, a Serbian and a Kyrgyzstani.
“Offenses committed by the aliens include economic crimes, investment scams, illegal gambling, money laundering, telecommunications fraud, robbery, and narcotics trading,” the FSU report said.
The most notable arrests, according to the FSU, were six Japanese who were members of the notorious “Luffy” gang, namely, Takayuki Kagashima, Sawada Masaya, Ueda Koji, Sjuzuki Seiji, Kiyohara Jun, and Nagaura Hiroki.
The six are wanted for involvement in various scams, extortion and fraudulent activities in Japan.
The BI also described as high-profile arrests those of Australian Gregor Johann Hass and Serbian Predran Mirkovic, who are both wanted for alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade.
Indian Nepalese Joginder Geong was also apprehended due to charges of murder, extortion and robbery.
Viado said the number of foreign fugitives arrested last year was higher than in 2023 when 128 outlaws were apprehended while hiding in the country.
He said there would be no letup in their drive to run after wanted foreign criminals who have taken refuge in the country to evade prosecution for their crimes.
“As we have repeatedly declared, the Philippines is off limits to all foreign fugitives. This country is not a sanctuary for alien criminals. The order of the President is clear — protect our nation from external threats,” Viado said.
Meanwhile, Viado said majority of the 180 arrested have already been deported to their countries.
