The Bureau of Immigration said on Thursday afternoon that the Bureau had taken custody of a Chinese national suspected to be a member of a mafia trafficking their citizens in the Philippines.

The Bureau identified the suspect as Andy Cheng, a 38-year-old male, who was arrested last Tuesday by the BI Fugitive Search Unit.

Customs Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that Cheng, who also carry numerous aliases, was tagged as a suspect in torture videos of illegal online gaming companies. He was initially arrested by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit National Capital Region on 7 December in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, but posted bail after six days.

The BI chief added that their operatives immediately arrested him after learning that Cheng was about to post bail, as he is also wanted by the agency for violating immigration laws.

It was reported that Cheng allegedly underwent plastic surgery to evade detection by authorities. Firearms and numerous fake IDs were found in his possession. He was also wanted by the BI for misrepresenting himself as a Filipino and for being an undesirable alien.

Commissioner Tansingco said that Chen's continued stay here poses a threat to Filipinos and foreign nationals working in the country. He added that they will not allow him to continue his illegal activities that sow fear among foreigners in the Philippines.

Cheng will be detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending his deportation proceedings.