BI apprehends five Chinese nationals linked to Lucky South 99 at Zamboanga airport

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) apprehended five blacklisted Chinese nationals at Zamboanga International Airport on Saturday.

Identified as Ying Guanzhen, Yang Jinlong, Liu Xin, Shen Kan, and Luo Honglin, the suspects were linked to Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator previously raided for illegal activities.

Authorities discovered that the group was attempting to evade capture by using a clandestine route from Tawi-Tawi to Sabah, Malaysia, but their boat malfunctioned near Languyan Island.

They were intercepted by officials from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and subsequently taken into custody in Zamboanga City.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado emphasized the significance of inter-agency cooperation in preventing individuals from exploiting Philippine borders.

The suspects are now in the custody of the Philippine National Police, awaiting deportation.

This incident underscores the ongoing efforts to combat illegal activities and prevent fugitives from leaving the country.