THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) took custody of a Chinese national suspected to be a member of a “mafia” trafficking their citizens in the Philippines.

The Chinese national was arrested by operatives of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) last December 13.

The suspect, who also bore numerous aliases, was tagged as a suspect in “torture videos” of illegal online gaming companies.

He was initially arrested by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit National Capital Region (RFU-NCR) last December 7 in Alabang, Muntinlupa City but posted bail after six days.

“Our operatives immediately arrested him after learning that he was about to post bail, as he is also wanted by the BI for violating immigration laws,” said Tansingco.

It was reported that Cheng allegedly underwent plastic surgery to evade detection by authorities, while firearms and numerous fake IDs were found in his possession.

He was also wanted by the BI for misrepresenting himself as a “Filipino” and for being an undesirable alien.

“His continued stay here in the country poses a threat to Filipinos and foreign nationals working here,” said Tansingco. “We will not allow him to continue his illegal activities that sow fear among foreigners in the Philippines,” he added.

Tansingco then vowed to continue closely working with local law enforcement agencies to locate, arrest, and deport aliens found to be violating immigration laws. By Jun I. Legaspi and Hector Lawas

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Jun I. Legaspi