Immigration authorities have intercepted and denied entry to a Chinese national suspected of belonging to an international theft ring that targets passengers aboard commercial flights, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Tuesday.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the passenger as Zhou Wei, 52, who arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on January 20 aboard a Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur.
Zhou was flagged prior to his arrival by the bureau’s Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).
According to a report from BI APIS Operations Center chief Melvin Mabulac, the system generated an alert after detecting information linked to Zhou’s international travel history.
Intelligence reports from foreign counterparts indicated that Zhou is allegedly a member of an organized criminal group composed of Chinese nationals involved in thefts aboard various international flights.
The group, commonly referred to as a “salisi gang,” is known for stealing cash and valuables from passengers’ hand luggage. Members reportedly remove bags from overhead compartments, return to their seats, discreetly search the contents, and then replace the luggage.
Upon arrival in Manila, immigration officers immediately intercepted Zhou and denied him entry into the country.
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 technical assistance from the Australian government.
“This system allowed us to receive advance information about suspected criminals, giving us the opportunity to make the necessary arrangements for their interception,” Viado said.
Zhou was placed on the next available flight back to his point of origin and has been blacklisted and permanently banned from re-entering the Philippines, the BI said.