By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday deported a total of 49 South Korean fugitives, who left from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said these foreigners, comprising 43 males and six females, were summarily deported after being tagged by their government as fugitives from justice.
“Most of those deported faced cases of fraud in South Korea. We are grateful for the strong partnership with the South Korean government to make sure that these criminals be returned to their home country to face justice,” Viado said in a statement.
The deportation was arranged by the BI’s deportation and implementation unit (DIU) in coordination with the South Korean Embassy, which provided logistical assistance to expedite the deportation of the 49 individuals.
The deportees were escorted by representatives from BI and the South Korean government.
Among them is Choi Hojun, 36, who was arrested by the BI fugitive search unit (FSU) agents in Angeles City, Pampanga last April 14. The foreigner is wanted in South Korea for allegedly being the mastermind of a messaging phishing syndicate based in China and the Philippines.
Their criminal organization reportedly transferred a total of 1.7 billion Korean won by illegally accessing sensitive information, particularly banking data of around 200 victims.
Another deportee, identified as Han Jonghoon, 42, was arrested by the FSU in Annapolis, San Juan City last July 4 for allegedly operating 23 illegal online gambling websites targeting Koreans, and reportedly pocketing more than 2 trillion Korean won in profits.
Also deported were Jung Hoesung, 40 and Choi Byeongil, 44. Jung is wanted in South Korea for operating illegal online platforms and subjecting recruits to intimidation and physical assault. Choi, on the other hand, is wanted for allegedly being the mastermind behind a real estate deposit loan scam, embezzling billions of Won.
“Let me reiterate. The Philippines is not a haven for foreign fugitives. Those who abuse our country’s hospitality will face the harshest penalty of law,” Viado said.
The BI chief added that the decongestion of the bureau’s holding facility, as well as the speedy deportation of illegal aliens, remains a priority of his administration.
The deportation follows the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure the swift removal of foreign fugitives and undesirable aliens from the country. (PNA)
