A Chinese national suspected of being a member of a notorious “salisi gang” involved in thefts aboard commercial aircraft was intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Zhou Wei, 52, was intercepted after attempting to enter the country on January 20 aboard a Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

According to a report from BI Advance Passenger Information System Operations Center chief Melvin Mabulac, their office received a system alert containing information on Zhou’s travel movements.

International intelligence reports indicated that Zhou is allegedly part of an organized criminal group composed of Chinese nationals involved in committing thefts on board aircraft operated by various airlines.

The group is known for stealing cash from the hand luggage of fellow passengers. Based on available information, gang members typically take bags from overhead compartments, return to their seats, and search the contents for cash and other valuables.

Upon arrival in Manila, Zhou was immediately intercepted and denied entry into the Philippines.

Viado said the successful operation was made possible through the use of the United Nations goTravel software developed by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, with assistance from the Australian government.

“This system allowed us to obtain advance information on suspected criminals, giving us the opportunity to make the necessary arrangements for their interception,” Viado said.

Zhou was promptly placed on a return flight to his country of origin and has been blacklisted and banned from re-entering the Philippines.