The Bureau of Immigration announced yesterday the arrest of two more foreign fugitives who will soon be deported to their homelands to answer for their crimes.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the duo as American Michael James Wuest, 60, who was nabbed in Cagayan de Oro City last March 7; and the Chinese Xu Wenlu, 53, apprehended two days later in Parañaque City.
The US embassy said Wuest is a convicted sex felon wanted by authorities in Texas for his failure to register as a sex offender.
Investigation revealed that Wuest is an overstaying alien who failed to extend his stay since he arrived in the country in June 2015.
On the other hand, Xu is wanted by authorities in Beijing for committing large-scale fraud that deprived the Chinese government of some US$4.5 million.
He was issued a red notice from Interpol after being charged with issuing false special value-added tax invoices valued at some 200 million yuan which caused China to lose about 30 million yuan in taxes.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has cited the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for its assistance to the former in going after foreigners wanted for corruption in their countries.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente received the award in a ceremony held in Malacanang recently.
“We are proud of the achievements of the bureau, and we pledge support to the PACC in their efforts to weed out foreign fugitives wanted in their countries for corruption,” said Morente.
It will be recalled that last month the BI upon the request of PACC arrested and deported a Chinese national and a Taiwanese who were former ranking government officials wanted for corruption in their homelands. (Jun Ramirez)