Person of interest identified in Chinese fugitives’ escape attempt — BI

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified persons of interest connected to the foiled escape attempt of five Chinese fugitives through the country’s southern maritime backdoor.

The five Chinese fugitives were apprehended on March 22 in Zamboanga by operatives from the BI’s Intelligence Division and Fugitive Search Unit. On April 8, the fugitives were flown to Manila to face deportation proceedings.

According to the BI, the five were previously associated with Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) that was earlier raided for alleged illicit activities.

The government operation targeted a small speedboat en route from Parang Jambatan, Jolo. The boat encountered mechanical trouble and became stranded in the waters off Sikullis village, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi.

Upon rescue, authorities discovered five Chinese nationals along with three Filipino men onboard.

All eight individuals were transported to the Languyan Municipal Police Station for proper documentation.

Subsequent coordination between the PNP Intelligence Group, Regional Intelligence Unit 15, and the BI confirmed that the five foreign nationals were blacklisted fugitives attempting to flee arrest and deportation via unauthorized sea routes.

Investigators noted that the fugitives had engaged a so-called “transporter” — a term used locally to describe individuals who smuggle people across borders illegally.

During interrogation, the Filipino boatmen claimed they were simply hired to transport passengers across borders and were unaware that their clients were Chinese fugitives.

They said they were only instructed by a person known only as “Batman,” whose real identity remains unknown.

The BI also received reports that suspicious green substances were found at the scene, which are now under investigation as possibly illegal drugs. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana