The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on 27 July reported that it arrested 268 foreign fugitives in the first half of 2025 — nearly four times higher than the number of arrests during the same period in 2024.

The figures are based on a report from the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit, which documented the apprehension of individuals wanted in their home countries for crimes such as robbery, large-scale fraud, and theft.

BI said the arrests marked a sharp increase from the 69 apprehensions recorded from January to June last year.

Among those apprehended was a Korean national wanted for a violent robbery in South Korea, Lee Jihwan. He was arrested in Talisay City, Cebu, on January 8. Authorities said the fugitive and an accomplice attacked a victim with a hand axe and forced the transfer of KRW 10 million (around P430,000).

Another Korean national, Chu Hoyong, was taken into custody on February 13. He is accused of defrauding victims of KRW 2.2 billion using fake real estate as collateral.

“He is considered a high-value target by Korean authorities and is allegedly linked to telecom fraud operations in the Philippines,” BI said.

Meanwhile, from January to April, four Japanese nationals believed to be members of the “Luffy” syndicate were arrested.

Luffy is a Japanese crime group operating in the Philippines and reportedly involved in fraud and other telecommunications-based schemes.

On 21 May, seven more Japanese nationals linked to the “JP Dragon” group — allegedly targeting elderly individuals by posing as government personnel to obtain banking and ATM card information — were arrested. The group’s leader was apprehended in Angeles City, Pampanga, on 4 June.

All of the arrested individuals will undergo deportation proceedings.