2 Chinese nationals on BI blacklist arrested attempting illegal exit

Two Chinese nationals, Li Yu and Liu Fei, who are on the Bureau of Immigration (BI) blacklist, were arrested in Tawi-Tawi while attempting an illegal exit to Sabah, Malaysia.

They were apprehended on Friday by a joint operation involving the BI intelligence operatives, Tawi-Tawi Maritime Police Station, and other PNP units.

The two suspects were identified as Li Yu, 27, and Liu Fei, 35.

They were spotted on a ship arriving from Zamboanga City during routine patrol operations along the waters of Poblacion in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

The individuals were confirmed to be on the BI's blacklist, identified in 2023 as undocumented and undesirable aliens.

Their blacklisting stemmed from their involvement in an establishment engaged in prostitution and labor exploitation.

BI Commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado expressed concern over the attempt to use a backdoor or illegal migratory corridor for departure, highlighting efforts to maintain national security and border management.