BI arrests two Chinese fugitives in Cebu, Parañaque

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Tuesday it has arrested two Chinese fugitives during separate operations in Cebu and Metro Manila.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the foreigners as Zhu Yuanjiang, 25, and Ma Mingjie, 51.

Zhu was arrested on April 17 in Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City, Cebu, while Ma was apprehended two days later in Parañaque City.

Based on investigations, BI said Zhu worked in an online gaming hub in Pasay City that was raided by local authorities in June 2023 for alleged involvement in various criminal activities such as human trafficking and cyber fraud.

BI’s supervisory board ordered his deportation from the country last year.

Tansingco added that the Jiangbei District Sub-bureau of the Public Security Bureau in Chongqing, China had issued an arrest warrant for Ma on December 6, 2017.

Citing Chinese authorities, the BI said Ma and his cohorts tampered with a point-of-sale (POS) merchant’s bank accounts and account names, resulting in the unauthorized transfer of more than 58 million yuan, or more than $8 million from China Minsheng Banking Corporation. on his changed bank account.

Both Chinese nationals are currently being held at the BI Detention Center in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, awaiting deportation.