immigration operatives arrested 19 foreign nationals linked to drug trafficking and call center scam in a joint operation with the Royal Thai Police in Muntinlupa City.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that 16 of the arrested were Thai nationals who were all undocumented and posed as public safety and security risks for being fugitives from justice.
“We received information from the Royal Thai Police that they are fugitives from justice and a part of a large-scale criminal syndicate that have been operating an illegal call center in the country,” Morente said.
“They have amassed millions of Thai baht by committing fraud and victimizing Thai people in the Philippines,” he added.
BI-Fugitive Search Unit chief Bobby Raquepo said the syndicate initially operated in Cambodia and Malaysia before expanding their operations in the Philippines.
“The passports of the 16 Thais have been revoked by the Thai government,” he said.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the three other arrested foreigners during the operation were Taiwanese nationals.
Taiwanese authorities revealed that the ringleader, known as alias Wu Chang Long, was a fugitive from justice and wanted for drug trafficking.
“Let this serve as a warning to other foreign nationals who plan on conducting their illegalities (sic) in the Philippines.
“We will not allow foreign criminals to use our country as their venue for their illegal activities,” Morente said.
The foreigners are now detained at the BI Detention Facility in Taguig City pending their deportation.