The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has barred three New Zealand nationals from entering the country after they were flagged by INTERPOL for alleged links to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC), an international criminal group.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the three men as Alexander Michael Schmalkuchen, Stanley Savinata Sunguturanga, and Ethan Schipper. Schmalkuchen and Sunguturanga arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
According to BI Interpol Chief Peter de Guzman, officers checked their names and found a “hit” in the INTERPOL database, indicating they were subjects of a diffusion notice alerting member countries about individuals linked to criminal activities.
The three men reportedly have past convictions in different countries and are identified as members of HAMC, a group monitored worldwide for alleged involvement in organized crime.
The BI denied them entry under the Philippine Immigration Act, which allows the government to refuse foreign nationals whose presence may threaten public safety or national security.
Viado said the Philippines will not serve as a safe haven or transit point for members of international criminal groups.
