The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Sunday disclosed that its operatives arrested a Chinese national wanted in Beijing for allegedly operating an illegal online gambling operation.
This comes following the crackdown on international fugitives ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
BI commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado identified the suspect as Li Wen Jie, who was apprehended at his residence on Gen. V. Lucban Street, Barangay Bangkal, Makati City.
Viado narrated that operatives from the BI Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) carried out the arrest after receiving information about Li’s alleged crimes from the Chinese government.
Authorities said Li had overstayed in the Philippines by more than two years, having arrived on 6 May 2023 and never departed.
“Our goal is to eliminate foreigners who utilize the Philippines as a haven to avoid being prosecuted,” the BI chief said.
“By removing undesirable aliens who are a threat to public safety from our soil, this operation is part of our firm support for President Marcos’ efforts to maintain law and order,” he added.
According to BI-FSU acting chief Rendel Ryan Sy, an arrest warrant was issued against Li by the Municipal Public Security Bureau’s Longmatan District Branch in Luzhou, Sichuan Province.
Reports said that Li allegedly operated a gambling house through the web app “Qikaidesheng,” hiring numerous agents and reportedly receiving over 1.1 million yuan, or approximately US$154,000, in commissions.
Li is currently detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending summary deportation proceedings. His name will be placed on the BI blacklist, barring him from reentering the Philippines after deportation.