Chinese fugitive nabbed while trying to extend visa

A 44-year old Chinese man wanted by Interpol for drug-related offenses was arrested Tuesday by the Bureau of Immigration while he was attempting to extend his visa.

Immigration authorities found irregularities in the records of Lin Guangxiu during his visa extension process at the bureau’s head office in Intramuros, Manila. Lin's case was then reported to the Tourist Visa Section (TVS), which coordinated with the Fugitive Search Unit for the fugitive's immediate arrest. 

“The Philippines will not be a refuge for criminals. We will continue to ensure that our borders remain secure and that those attempting to evade justice are apprehended,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado in a statement Wednesday. 

The bureau said Lin and his accomplices were found to possess 138 pieces of tape-sealed transparent packs containing around 270,000 grams of shabu in 2019. 

The Chinese citizen is now detained at the BI facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City while he awaits deportation proceedings. 

The BI warned foreigners caught attempting to evade Philippine laws will face legal action. 

“We remain vigilant in preventing foreign fugitives from exploiting our immigration system,” said BI-TVS chief Raymond Remigio. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News