MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport said that the Philippines continues to be used as a transit point by unscrupulous individuals en route to other destination in Asia and Europe .
This was uncovered after BI-Migration Compliance Monitoring Group successfully arrested a Korean fugitive and his Chinese female-companion at the departure area of the premier airport yesterday.
In his report to BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, chief of the airport operations division Ferdinand Sampol identified the apprehended suspects as Je Seong Gook, a Korean confirmed by the Korean embassy as a wanted fugitive from his country and his companion Li Mei Na, a Chinese using fake Korean name Yang Kyung Ja.
According to MCMG chief Rogelio Gevero Jr., the two passengers were bound for Panama via flight KLM-804 when intercepted by BI officer Alexis Allan Canonizado.
During investigation conducted by MCMG, the duo were involved in illegal activities in their country and long wanted by the Korean authorities.
Gevero said Gook was immediately deported at 3:55 p.m. yesterday back to Korea on board Cebu Pacific Airlines flight 5J195, while Mei Na was deported ahead at 11:30 a.m. on board Philippine Airlines flight PR336 for China. The names of the deportees were included in the bureau’s blacklist data base.
“Once again, the vigilance of the MCMG officers has proven outstanding results in our campaign against illegal foreigners in the Philippines . I commend the men and women of the AOD for another successful interception of foreign fugitives at the NAIA,” Libanan said.
For his part, Sampol said, “We confirmed that the country is still the favorite jump-off point by the syndicates. We will not compromise the security of the Filipinos as a marching order of Commissioner Libanan in intensifying the gate-keeping mandate of the AOD in all international ports and subports nationwide.”